This is a classic 'Mega-Event Identity' question. UPSC ignores daily match results but focuses on the structural identity of the event: Motto, Mascot, and New Sports. If a global event happens, you must know its 'Bio-data', not just the medal tally.
How this question is built
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements.
Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Statement 1
Was "A New World" the official motto of the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
Strength: 4/5
“The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo marked a symbolic coming of age. In much the same way the network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour (now it is 300 miles per hour) have come to represent the ability of the Japanese to use advanced technologies to produce better and cheaper goods. The 1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator, followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s.”
Why relevant
Describes how the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were explicitly used as a symbolic 'coming of age' for Japan, showing host cities use Olympics to project themes of modernization and national renewal.
How to extend
A student could use this pattern (hosts adopt thematic slogans) to check whether Tokyo 2020 similarly adopted a thematic motto by comparing official Tokyo 2020 communications or branding.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 3/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains that Olympic symbols (the five rings) convey high-level themes like global gathering and unity, implying host mottos often align with such universal concepts.
How to extend
One could test if 'A New World' fits typical Olympic thematic language and then verify against Tokyo 2020's official symbol/text on IOC or Tokyo 2020 sites.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
Strength: 3/5
“JAPAN | CHINA • 1603 | Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Edo shogunate | 1644-1911 | Qing dynasty • 1630 | Japan closes country to Western Powers except for restricted trade with the Dutch | 1839-60 | Two Opium Wars • 1854 | Japan and the USA conclude the Treaty of Peace, ending Japan's seclusion • 1868 | Restoration of Meiji • 1872 | Compulsory education system First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama • 1889 | Meiji Constitution enacted • 1894-95 | War between Japan and China • 1904-05 | War between Japan and Russia • 1910 | Korea annexed, colony till 1945 | 1912 | Sun Yat-sen founds Guomingdang • 1914-18 | First World War | 1919 | May Fourth Movement • 1925 | Universal male suffrage | 1921 | CCP founded • 1931 | Japan's invasion of China | 1926-49 | Civil Wars in China • 1941-45 | The Pacific War | 1934 | Long March • 1945 | Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki | 1945 • 1946-52 | US-led Occupation of Japan Reforms to democratise and demilitarise Japan | 1949 | People's Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek founds Republic of China in Taiwan • 1956 | Japan becomes a member of the United Nations | 1962 | China attacks India over border dispute • 1964 | Olympic Games in Tokyo, the first time in Asia | 1966 | Cultural Revolution • 1976 | Death of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai • 1997 | Hong Kong returned to China by Britain”
Why relevant
Notes Tokyo's role in Olympic history (1964 as first Asian host), indicating Tokyo's Games have historical branding choices tied to national image across different editions.
How to extend
Use this to justify comparing wording/themes between the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 2020 Tokyo Games (e.g., whether 'A New World' echoes past Tokyo themes) and then check official Tokyo 2020 sources.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > CAR-CLUB > p. 163
Strength: 3/5
“Moga: An abbreviation for 'modern qirl'. It represented the coming together in the twentieth century of ideas of gender equality, a cosmopolitan culture and a developed economy. The new middleclass families enjoyed new forms of travel and entertainment. Transport in cities improved with electric trams, public parks were opened from 1878, and department stores began to be built. In Tokyo, the Ginza became a fashionable area for Ginbura, a word combining 'Ginza' and 'burbura' (walking aimlessly). The first radio stations opened in 1925. Matsui Sumako, an actress, became a national star with her portrayal of Nora in the Norwegian writer Ibsen's A Doll's House.”
Why relevant
Discusses cultural modernization and concepts ('coming together' of modern ideas in Tokyo), showing hosts may select mottos emphasizing modernity or new eras.
How to extend
A student can see that 'A New World' would fit a modernization theme, then seek primary Tokyo 2020 materials (organising committee statements, opening ceremony text) to confirm or refute the phrase as an official motto.
Statement 2
Was Sport Climbing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
""The [2020 Summer Olympics](/wiki/2020_Summer_Olympics "2020 Summer Olympics") in Tokyo saw the introduction of four new sports, with [karate](/wiki/Karate_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Karate at the Summer Olympics"), [skateboarding](/wiki/Skateboarding_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Skateboarding at the Summer Olympics"), [sport climbing](/wiki/Sport_climbing_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Sport climbing at the Summer Olympics") and [surfing](/wiki/Surfing_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Surfing at the Summer Olympics") making their Olympic debuts.""
Why this source?
- Explicitly states sport climbing was one of four new sports introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- Directly ties sport climbing to making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
""* [Sport climbing](/wiki/Sport_climbing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics \"Sport climbing at the 2020 Summer Olympics\")""
Why this source?
- Lists sport climbing among the events at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- Shows sport climbing as an official event link for Tokyo 2020.
""[Sport climbing](/wiki/Sport_climbing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics \"Sport climbing at the 2020 Summer Olympics\")""
Why this source?
- Includes a table/list entry linking sport climbing to the 2020 Summer Olympics page.
- Provides additional confirmation that sport climbing was part of the Tokyo 2020 program.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > 6. Adventure Tourism > p. 93
Strength: 4/5
“India has enormous potential for adventure tourism. For example: (i) river rafting and kayaking in Himalayas, (ii) mountain climbing in Himalayas, (iii) rock climbing, (iv) skiing in Gulmarg and Auli, (v) boat racing in Kerala, (vi) paragliding in Maharashtra, etc.”
Why relevant
Lists 'rock climbing' and 'mountain climbing' among recognised adventure/sports activities, showing climbing is an established organised sport/activity.
How to extend
A student could note that an established activity like rock climbing is plausibly proposed for Olympic inclusion and check Olympic programme lists for Tokyo 2020 to confirm.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Landforms and Life > Life in the mountains > p. 49
Strength: 3/5
“slopes by cutting steps into the slope (Fig. 3.5). This is called terrace farming. In many mountainous regions of the world, herding is the preferred occupation over agriculture. Tourism is often an important source of income for the people living in the mountains. The crisp mountain air and scenic beauty attract many tourists. Some tourists also go to the mountains for sports such as skiing, hiking, mountaineering and paragliding. For many centuries, people have also travelled to these uplands for pilgrimages to holy sites. But an excessive inflow of visitors can also put the fragile mountain environment under pressure; it is often difficult to find the right balance.”
Why relevant
Mentions people going to mountains for sports such as mountaineering and climbing, indicating climbing has long-standing sporting status.
How to extend
Use the fact that climbing is a longstanding sport to investigate whether the IOC added it to the Tokyo 2020 programme.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
Strength: 2/5
“The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo marked a symbolic coming of age. In much the same way the network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour (now it is 300 miles per hour) have come to represent the ability of the Japanese to use advanced technologies to produce better and cheaper goods. The 1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator, followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s.”
Why relevant
Refers to Tokyo hosting the 1964 Olympics, establishing Tokyo as a historical Olympic host city and making the question about Tokyo 2020 contextually relevant.
How to extend
Combine the fact Tokyo hosted previous Olympics with knowledge that Tokyo hosted the 32nd Summer Olympics in 2020, then check the official sports list for that edition.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 2/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains the Olympic Games symbol and global nature of the Games, implying the Olympics incorporate a variety of sports from around the world.
How to extend
Given the Games include diverse sports, a student could reasonably search official Tokyo 2020 sport additions to see if climbing was among them.
Statement 3
Was Surfing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"* [Surfing](/wiki/Surfing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Surfing at the 2020 Summer Olympics")"
Why this source?
- The passage is from the 2020 Summer Olympics page and lists the sports contested.
- It explicitly names 'Surfing' as one of the events at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
"* [Surfing](/wiki/Surfing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Surfing at the 2020 Summer Olympics") (2)"
Why this source?
- This passage enumerates events at the 2020 Games and includes Surfing in the list.
- The line ties Surfing directly to the 2020 Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020).
"[Surfing](/wiki/Surfing_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Surfing at the 2020 Summer Olympics")"
Why this source?
- The passage (event/schedule fragment) references Surfing within the 2020 Olympics context.
- It shows Surfing as an included sport entry on the Tokyo 2020 page.
Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 314
Strength: 4/5
“Tokyo is located at the end of the sheltered Tokyo Bay. A dredge channel enables ships of over 10, 000 tonnes.”
Why relevant
Describes Tokyo's location at the end of a sheltered Tokyo Bay, indicating the city/region has coastal waters and maritime access.
How to extend
A student could use a map to identify nearby beaches or coastal venues in the Tokyo region (or nearby prefectures) that might host open-water sports like surfing.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
Strength: 3/5
“JAPAN | CHINA • 1603 | Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Edo shogunate | 1644-1911 | Qing dynasty • 1630 | Japan closes country to Western Powers except for restricted trade with the Dutch | 1839-60 | Two Opium Wars • 1854 | Japan and the USA conclude the Treaty of Peace, ending Japan's seclusion • 1868 | Restoration of Meiji • 1872 | Compulsory education system First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama • 1889 | Meiji Constitution enacted • 1894-95 | War between Japan and China • 1904-05 | War between Japan and Russia • 1910 | Korea annexed, colony till 1945 | 1912 | Sun Yat-sen founds Guomingdang • 1914-18 | First World War | 1919 | May Fourth Movement • 1925 | Universal male suffrage | 1921 | CCP founded • 1931 | Japan's invasion of China | 1926-49 | Civil Wars in China • 1941-45 | The Pacific War | 1934 | Long March • 1945 | Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki | 1945 • 1946-52 | US-led Occupation of Japan Reforms to democratise and demilitarise Japan | 1949 | People's Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek founds Republic of China in Taiwan • 1956 | Japan becomes a member of the United Nations | 1962 | China attacks India over border dispute • 1964 | Olympic Games in Tokyo, the first time in Asia | 1966 | Cultural Revolution • 1976 | Death of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai • 1997 | Hong Kong returned to China by Britain”
Why relevant
Notes Tokyo as an Olympic host (1964) and situates Tokyo historically as an Olympic city, linking the location to the Games.
How to extend
Knowing Tokyo hosts Olympic events, a student could look up the specific sports program for the 2020 Games to see whether surfing was added to Tokyo 2020.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 2/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains the Olympic rings and the global scope of the Games, implying the Olympics include a wide variety of sports drawn from worldwide practice.
How to extend
A student might infer the IOC sometimes adds sports reflecting global participation and then check whether surfing — a worldwide coastal sport — was among additions for Tokyo 2020.
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Measurement of Time and Motion > Exploratory Projects > p. 120
Strength: 2/5
“Gather the timings of the winners of the races — 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m for men and women in the last two Olympic games. Calculate and compare their speeds. In which event is the speed the fastest?”
Why relevant
Gives an example of Olympic events (track races) and how results are compared across Games, illustrating that the Olympic programme is a defined list of events that can change over time.
How to extend
Using this pattern, a student could consult official Olympic programme lists for Tokyo 2020 to see if surfing appears alongside traditional track and field events.
Statement 4
Was Skateboarding included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"* [Skateboarding](/wiki/Skateboarding_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics")"
Why this source?
- The passage is from the 2020 Summer Olympics page and lists the sports included at the Games.
- It explicitly names 'Skateboarding' in the list of events, indicating it was included at Tokyo 2020.
- The linked entry refers specifically to 'Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics'.
"* [Skateboarding](/wiki/Skateboarding_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Skateboarding at the 2020"
Why this source?
- This passage enumerates sports at the 2020 Summer Olympics and includes 'Skateboarding' among them.
- The context shows sport counts and details for Olympic events, reinforcing that skateboarding was an official event.
"[Skateboarding](/wiki/Skateboarding_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics")"
Why this source?
- This passage contains a table/list entry for 'Skateboarding' tied to the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- The item links directly to 'Skateboarding at the 2020 Summer Olympics', supporting inclusion as an Olympic sport in Tokyo.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
Strength: 3/5
“The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo marked a symbolic coming of age. In much the same way the network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour (now it is 300 miles per hour) have come to represent the ability of the Japanese to use advanced technologies to produce better and cheaper goods. The 1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator, followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s.”
Why relevant
Mentions the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a symbolic, modernising event tied to the host city's image and developments.
How to extend
A student could infer that host cities use the Games to showcase change and therefore check whether Tokyo 2020 similarly introduced or promoted new sports (like skateboarding).
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 3/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains the Olympic Games as a global gathering of sportspeople from all inhabited continents, implying the Games encompass diverse sports.
How to extend
One could extend this to consider that the IOC may add sports with global participation and then verify whether skateboarding had sufficient global presence to be added at Tokyo 2020.
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Measurement of Time and Motion > Exploratory Projects > p. 120
Strength: 2/5
“Gather the timings of the winners of the races — 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m for men and women in the last two Olympic games. Calculate and compare their speeds. In which event is the speed the fastest?”
Why relevant
Uses Olympic race timings as an example of established, measured sports in the Games, illustrating that Olympic programmes include formally measured competitive events.
How to extend
A student might contrast traditionally timed/quantified events with judged/action sports and then investigate whether judged/action sports such as skateboarding were accepted into Tokyo 2020's official programme.
Statement 5
Was Karate included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"The [2020 Summer Olympics](/wiki/2020_Summer_Olympics "2020 Summer Olympics") in Tokyo saw the introduction of four new sports, with [karate](/wiki/Karate_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Karate at the Summer Olympics"), [skateboarding](/wiki/Skateboarding_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Skateboarding at the Summer Olympics"), [sport climbing](/wiki/Sport_climbing_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Sport climbing at the Summer Olympics") and [surfing](/wiki/Surfing_at_the_Summer_Olympics "Surfing at the Summer Olympics") making their Olympic debuts."
Why this source?
- Directly states that the 2020 Tokyo Games introduced karate as a new Olympic sport.
- Says karate made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, which implies it was included officially.
"* [Karate](/wiki/Karate_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Karate at the 2020 Summer Olympics") + Kata (2) + Kumite (6) *"
Why this source?
- Lists Karate among the events at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- Specifies the karate disciplines contested (Kata and Kumite), indicating official competition events.
"* [Karate](/wiki/Karate_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Karate at the 2020 Summer Olympics") *"
Why this source?
- Includes Karate in the enumerated list of sports at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- Supports that karate was part of the official program by its presence in the main events listing.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 3/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains the Olympic Games as a global gathering represented by the five rings, implying the Games include many sports drawing competitors worldwide.
How to extend
A student could use this to recall that the Olympics feature a variety of sports and then check the official Tokyo 2020 sports programme to see if Karate was among them.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
Strength: 3/5
“JAPAN | CHINA • 1603 | Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Edo shogunate | 1644-1911 | Qing dynasty • 1630 | Japan closes country to Western Powers except for restricted trade with the Dutch | 1839-60 | Two Opium Wars • 1854 | Japan and the USA conclude the Treaty of Peace, ending Japan's seclusion • 1868 | Restoration of Meiji • 1872 | Compulsory education system First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama • 1889 | Meiji Constitution enacted • 1894-95 | War between Japan and China • 1904-05 | War between Japan and Russia • 1910 | Korea annexed, colony till 1945 | 1912 | Sun Yat-sen founds Guomingdang • 1914-18 | First World War | 1919 | May Fourth Movement • 1925 | Universal male suffrage | 1921 | CCP founded • 1931 | Japan's invasion of China | 1926-49 | Civil Wars in China • 1941-45 | The Pacific War | 1934 | Long March • 1945 | Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki | 1945 • 1946-52 | US-led Occupation of Japan Reforms to democratise and demilitarise Japan | 1949 | People's Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek founds Republic of China in Taiwan • 1956 | Japan becomes a member of the United Nations | 1962 | China attacks India over border dispute • 1964 | Olympic Games in Tokyo, the first time in Asia | 1966 | Cultural Revolution • 1976 | Death of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai • 1997 | Hong Kong returned to China by Britain”
Why relevant
Records that Tokyo has hosted the Olympics (1964) and situates Tokyo as a legitimate Olympic host city, making Tokyo 2020 a plausible edition to examine for sport additions.
How to extend
A student can note Tokyo's status as an Olympic host and then consult Tokyo 2020 official materials (programme, IOC announcements) to verify whether Karate was added for that host edition.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > CURRENT TREND IN INDUSTRIAL SECTOR > p. 376
Strength: 4/5
“G. In the current FY 2020-21, majorly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all the sub-sectors m under industrial sector recorded negative growth rate except the electricity sector, which recorded a positive growth rate of 2.7 per cent. Interesting Fact: In 2020, Mizoram became the first state in India to grant industry status to sports.”
Why relevant
Mentions the COVID-19 pandemic affecting 2020, signaling that the Tokyo 2020 Games were highly atypical (postponed/changed), which is relevant because sport programmes or participation might have been discussed or modified.
How to extend
Knowing 2020 was disrupted, a student might look for IOC communications around that time about which sports were confirmed, newly included, or dropped for Tokyo 2020 (e.g., lists of new sports approved for that edition).
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Measurement of Time and Motion > Exploratory Projects > p. 120
Strength: 4/5
“Gather the timings of the winners of the races — 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m for men and women in the last two Olympic games. Calculate and compare their speeds. In which event is the speed the fastest?”
Why relevant
Suggests comparison of winners across the 'last two Olympic games', implying event lists can change and that tracking event rosters across editions is a valid method.
How to extend
A student could apply this pattern by comparing the official event lists from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 to see if Karate appears as a newly added or retained event.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
Strength: 4/5
“The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo marked a symbolic coming of age. In much the same way the network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour (now it is 300 miles per hour) have come to represent the ability of the Japanese to use advanced technologies to produce better and cheaper goods. The 1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator, followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s.”
Why relevant
Describes the symbolic importance of the Tokyo Olympics (1964) and Japan's use of the Games to showcase national attributes, hinting that host countries sometimes influence the selection or showcasing of sports.
How to extend
A student may infer that Tokyo could have advocated inclusion of sports with Japanese cultural ties (e.g., martial arts) and therefore check whether Karate—originating in Japan—was added for Tokyo 2020.
Statement 6
Was Baseball included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"* [Baseball](/wiki/Baseball_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Baseball"
Why this source?
- Passage is the 2020 Summer Olympics events list and explicitly includes Baseball among the events.
- Directly ties Baseball to the 2020 (Tokyo) Games, identifying it as an event at those Olympics.
"* Baseball + [Baseball](/wiki/Baseball_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics") (1) + [Softball](/wiki/Softball_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Softball at the 2020 Summer Olympics") (1)"
Why this source?
- Passage lists sports with counts for the 2020 Games and shows Baseball (with an entry for Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics).
- Also groups Baseball with Softball, indicating both were contested at Tokyo 2020.
"| Baseball/Softball | | [Baseball](/wiki/Baseball_at_the_2020_Summer_Olympics "Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics") |"
Why this source?
- Passage shows the event table for Baseball/Softball at the 2020 Games and includes a link to 'Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics'.
- The table marks Baseball/Softball with an entry (1), indicating it was included at Tokyo 2020.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
Strength: 5/5
“JAPAN | CHINA • 1603 | Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Edo shogunate | 1644-1911 | Qing dynasty • 1630 | Japan closes country to Western Powers except for restricted trade with the Dutch | 1839-60 | Two Opium Wars • 1854 | Japan and the USA conclude the Treaty of Peace, ending Japan's seclusion • 1868 | Restoration of Meiji • 1872 | Compulsory education system First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama • 1889 | Meiji Constitution enacted • 1894-95 | War between Japan and China • 1904-05 | War between Japan and Russia • 1910 | Korea annexed, colony till 1945 | 1912 | Sun Yat-sen founds Guomingdang • 1914-18 | First World War | 1919 | May Fourth Movement • 1925 | Universal male suffrage | 1921 | CCP founded • 1931 | Japan's invasion of China | 1926-49 | Civil Wars in China • 1941-45 | The Pacific War | 1934 | Long March • 1945 | Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki | 1945 • 1946-52 | US-led Occupation of Japan Reforms to democratise and demilitarise Japan | 1949 | People's Republic of China Chiang Kai-shek founds Republic of China in Taiwan • 1956 | Japan becomes a member of the United Nations | 1962 | China attacks India over border dispute • 1964 | Olympic Games in Tokyo, the first time in Asia | 1966 | Cultural Revolution • 1976 | Death of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai • 1997 | Hong Kong returned to China by Britain”
Why relevant
Notes that Tokyo hosted the Olympic Games in 1964 and highlights Japan's historical connection to the Olympics.
How to extend
A student could combine this with the basic fact that host nations sometimes influence sport selection to ask whether a sport popular in Japan (like baseball) was added when Tokyo hosted in 2020.
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
Strength: 4/5
“The 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo marked a symbolic coming of age. In much the same way the network of high-speed Shinkansen or bullet trains, started in 1964, which ran at 200 miles per hour (now it is 300 miles per hour) have come to represent the ability of the Japanese to use advanced technologies to produce better and cheaper goods. The 1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator, followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s.”
Why relevant
Describes the symbolic importance of the Tokyo 1964 Olympics for Japan's modern image, showing Tokyo as a significant Olympic host city.
How to extend
Use this pattern (host-city significance) plus external knowledge of Japan's sporting culture to hypothesize that Japan might promote sports it favors when hosting.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
Strength: 3/5
“You may have seen the five Olympic rings, one of the symbols of the Olympic Games. They symbolise the gathering of sportspeople from all over the world. The rings were chosen to represent five inhabited continents — Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Now let us look at the diagram on page 36, which is based on the list of seven continents. It does not show their actual shapes, but their relative sizes.”
Why relevant
Explains the Olympic rings as symbolising a global gathering of sportspeople from all continents.
How to extend
Combine this with a world map and knowledge of sport popularity by region to check whether baseball — popular in Americas and parts of Asia — fits the Olympics' global representation and thus might be included.
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Measurement of Time and Motion > Measurement of Time and Motion 8 > p. 105
Strength: 3/5
“Prerna and her younger sister are watching a sports channel on television. Prerna enjoys running and she has been declared the fastest runner among the girls in her district for winning the 100 metre sprint at an interschool competition held at the district level. She is now training to compete at the state level. She dreams of representing India at the international level in 100 metre sprint contests in future. While watching the rerun of sprints at the Olympic games held in the past, Prerna is always amazed that the measurement of the time taken for the race is so advanced that they could identify the winner even when two sprinters seemed to cross the fi nish line almost together.”
Why relevant
Discusses how specific sporting events (e.g., sprints) and their measurements are featured at the Olympic Games, illustrating that the Games consist of many distinct events and sports.
How to extend
A student could extend this by listing which distinct sports/events appear at past Games and then checking whether baseball appears among those event lists for Tokyo 2020.
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC tests the 'Administrative' side of sports (Mottos, Governance, New Inclusions) rather than the 'Performance' side (Who won Gold). Always prepare the 'Static' features of a 'Current' event.
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for serious news readers; Trap for those who ignored the 'Sports' page. Source: Any standard Current Affairs compilation (PT 365, etc.).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Current Affairs > International Events > Sports Diplomacy. The specific theme is 'Structural Changes in Global Sports'.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Identity Card' for the next Games (Paris 2024): Motto ('Games Wide Open'), Mascot (The Phryges), New Sport (Breaking/Breakdancing), and the return of Cricket in LA 2028.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop memorizing winners of every heat. Instead, ask: What makes *this* edition unique? (e.g., Tokyo 2020 was unique for 'Urban Sports' like Skateboarding and the return of Baseball due to Japanese popularity).
Concept hooks from this question
👉 Olympic symbols and their meanings
💡 The insight
The five Olympic rings symbolise the gathering of athletes from all inhabited continents and are central to understanding Olympic identity.
High-yield for questions on international organisations, symbolism, and cultural diplomacy; connects to topics on global governance and soft power. Mastery helps answer questions about why certain symbols are chosen and how they convey legitimacy or unity.
📚 Reading List :
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
🔗 Anchor: "Was "A New World" the official motto of the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?"
👉 Mega-events as markers of national modernization
💡 The insight
Hosting the Olympics is often presented as a demonstration of technological progress and national renewal, exemplified by Tokyo's 1964 Games and developments like the Shinkansen.
Useful for essays and mains answers on development strategy, state-led modernisation, and infrastructure policy; links history to contemporary policy debates on urban planning, environment, and national image. Helps frame questions on costs/benefits of hosting mega-events.
📚 Reading List :
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
🔗 Anchor: "Was "A New World" the official motto of the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?"
👉 Chronology of Olympic hosting and regional milestones
💡 The insight
Knowing when a region first hosted the Olympics (Tokyo in 1964 was the first in Asia) aids in assessing regional historical milestones and geopolitical significance.
Valuable for static syllabus history and current affairs; it connects timelines, diplomatic prestige, and regional development narratives. Enables quick elimination in chronological or region-based MCQs and supports contextual answers in mains.
📚 Reading List :
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
🔗 Anchor: "Was "A New World" the official motto of the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 2020)?"
👉 Olympic host cities and symbols
💡 The insight
Questions about whether a sport featured at a particular Games require understanding the host-city context and Olympic symbols that frame each edition.
High-yield for UPSC: host-city history and Olympic symbolism frequently appear in questions on cultural diplomacy, international events, and sports policy. Mastering this helps link event chronology, host-country significance, and diplomatic outcomes in answers.
📚 Reading List :
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 31: Settlements and Towns > Location of settlements > p. 314
🔗 Anchor: "Was Sport Climbing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (To..."
👉 Adventure sports versus Olympic disciplines
💡 The insight
Sport climbing originates as an adventure/mountain activity and must be distinguished from recreational adventure tourism when judging its Olympic status.
Useful for UPSC when assessing sports inclusion, tourism policy, and infrastructure priorities; connects to sports governance, tourism economics, and the criteria that separate informal adventure activities from recognized competitive disciplines.
📚 Reading List :
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > 6. Adventure Tourism > p. 93
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Landforms and Life > Life in the mountains > p. 49
🔗 Anchor: "Was Sport Climbing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (To..."
👉 Olympic host cities & editions
💡 The insight
Knowing which city hosted which Olympic edition is necessary to verify whether a sport was part of that edition.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about major international events, their hosts and historical editions; links modern history with international relations and cultural diplomacy; helps eliminate options when asked about when or where a sport was introduced or contested.
📚 Reading List :
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > ACTIVITY 2 > p. 165
- Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Paths to Modernisation > Establishing the Republic > p. 170
🔗 Anchor: "Was Surfing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 202..."
👉 Olympic symbols and global representation (Five rings)
💡 The insight
Understanding the Olympics' symbols clarifies the Games' global character and why new sports aim for worldwide appeal before inclusion.
Useful for essay and GS papers when discussing international sporting events, cultural symbolism, and global governance of sport; connects to topics on globalization and international organisations.
📚 Reading List :
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 35
🔗 Anchor: "Was Surfing included as an official sport at the 32nd Summer Olympics (Tokyo 202..."
Paris 2024 introduced 'Breaking' (Breakdancing) as a sport but dropped Karate and Baseball. Los Angeles 2028 will see the return of Cricket (T20 format) and Lacrosse. These 'Entry/Exit' lists are prime targets.
Apply 'Host Country Bias'. Baseball is not a global staple, but it is a religion in Japan. If the statement says Baseball is included in *Tokyo*, it is logically highly probable because host nations can propose additional sports popular in their region.
Mains GS-1 (Society) & GS-2 (IR): Sport is Soft Power. Tokyo 1964 symbolized Japan's post-war recovery (Shinkansen era); Tokyo 2020 symbolized resilience during a pandemic. Use these as examples of 'Nation Branding'.