People attend the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The last time the Olympics were in Tokyo
People attend the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
AP

Published 7:59 PM EDT, Wed May 26, 2021

When Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, it was the first time the Olympics had ever been held in Asia.

And they weren't actually held during the summer. The Games took place in October that year to avoid the heat and humidity of the summer months and the typhoon season in September.

Japan would later host two Winter Olympics — in 1972 and 1998 — before Tokyo was awarded the Summer Games again for 2020. The 2020 Games were moved to 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Torchbearers run through the rain on their way to the National Stadium in Tokyo in October 1964.
Torchbearers run through the rain on their way to the National Stadium in Tokyo in October 1964.
AP
A woman wears traditional clothing at the opening ceremony on October 10, 1964.
A woman wears traditional clothing at the opening ceremony on October 10, 1964.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
The Olympic rings are drawn in the sky by Blue Impulse, the Japanese Air Force's aerobatics team, during the opening ceremony.
The Olympic rings are drawn in the sky by Blue Impulse, the Japanese Air Force's aerobatics team, during the opening ceremony.
Kyodo News/Getty Images
Yoshinori Sakai carries the torch up the stairs to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony. Sakai was born in Hiroshima, Japan, on the day the first atomic bomb devastated the city,
Yoshinori Sakai carries the torch up the stairs to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony. Sakai was born in Hiroshima, Japan, on the day the first atomic bomb devastated the city,
AFP/Getty Images
Gymnasts perform during the opening ceremony.
Gymnasts perform during the opening ceremony.
MC/AP
American sprinter Edith McGuire, left, wins the 200-meter dash during the Tokyo Games. She also won silver in the 100 meters.
American sprinter Edith McGuire, left, wins the 200-meter dash during the Tokyo Games. She also won silver in the 100 meters.
AP
Italian athletes tour Tokyo during the Games.
Italian athletes tour Tokyo during the Games.
Mario De Biasi/Mondadori/Getty Images
A pole vaulter clears the bar during competition.
A pole vaulter clears the bar during competition.
AP
German fencer Walter Kostner goes airborne during a match against Poland's Jerzy Pawlowski.
German fencer Walter Kostner goes airborne during a match against Poland's Jerzy Pawlowski.
AP
Athletes talk across a fence separating the male and female sections of the Olympic Village.
Athletes talk across a fence separating the male and female sections of the Olympic Village.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
A medal ceremony is held after a kayaking event in Sagamihara, Japan.
A medal ceremony is held after a kayaking event in Sagamihara, Japan.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Athletes clear the last hurdle in the 110-meter event. American Hayes Jones, bottom right, won the gold.
Athletes clear the last hurdle in the 110-meter event. American Hayes Jones, bottom right, won the gold.
AP
American swimmer Sharon Stouder finishes a stroke ahead of the Netherlands' Ada Kok to win the 100-meter butterfly. Stouder, who was 15 years old, won three gold medals while in Tokyo.
American swimmer Sharon Stouder finishes a stroke ahead of the Netherlands' Ada Kok to win the 100-meter butterfly. Stouder, who was 15 years old, won three gold medals while in Tokyo.
AP
Sprinters stand on the podium after the 100-meter dash. American Wyomia Tyus won gold, compatriot Edith McGuire won silver, and Poland's Ewa Klobukowska won bronze.
Sprinters stand on the podium after the 100-meter dash. American Wyomia Tyus won gold, compatriot Edith McGuire won silver, and Poland's Ewa Klobukowska won bronze.
AP
Athletes eat at the Sakura Restaurant, one of the three restaurants in the Olympic Village.
Athletes eat at the Sakura Restaurant, one of the three restaurants in the Olympic Village.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Cyclists train in Tokyo.
Cyclists train in Tokyo.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
American wrestler Gregory Ruth, left, takes on Mongolia's Sereeter Danzandarjaa.
American wrestler Gregory Ruth, left, takes on Mongolia's Sereeter Danzandarjaa.
AP
Japanese volleyball player Terushia Moriyama, left, has his spike blocked by Brazil's Ramalho Oliveira (No. 8) and Marco Antonio Volpi.
Japanese volleyball player Terushia Moriyama, left, has his spike blocked by Brazil's Ramalho Oliveira (No. 8) and Marco Antonio Volpi.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Flags are raised during an award ceremony for a men's gymnastics event. Japan's Yukio Endo won the parallel bars. Shuji Tsurumi won silver, and Italy's Franco Menichelli won bronze.
Flags are raised during an award ceremony for a men's gymnastics event. Japan's Yukio Endo won the parallel bars. Shuji Tsurumi won silver, and Italy's Franco Menichelli won bronze.
Naoshi Murayama/The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP
Runners reach the turn-around point of the marathon event.
Runners reach the turn-around point of the marathon event.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Thailand's Prince Bira, left, competed in one of the sailing regattas along with Princess Arunee and Prateep Areerob.
Thailand's Prince Bira, left, competed in one of the sailing regattas along with Princess Arunee and Prateep Areerob.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Balloons float over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony.
Balloons float over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony.
Donald Uhrbrock/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images