Question

In hockey, which country won the Women's Olympic gold in 2020 (Tokyo held in 2021)?

Answer 1

Answer: None, as ice hockey is a Winter Olympic sport and was not part of the Tokyo 2020/2021 Summer Olympics.

Explanation:

This question contains an important distinction that many students might miss. When we hear "hockey," it's crucial to understand that there are actually two different types of hockey played at the Olympic Games - ice hockey and field hockey. Each sport is featured in different Olympic seasons.

Ice hockey is exclusively a Winter Olympic sport, featuring teams playing on an ice rink with skates, sticks, and a puck. This sport has been a cornerstone of the Winter Olympics since 1920 for men and 1998 for women. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) were Summer Olympics, which means ice hockey was not included in the event schedule at all.

However, field hockey is a Summer Olympic sport that was indeed part of the Tokyo 2020 Games. In the women's field hockey competition, the Netherlands won the gold medal, defeating Argentina 3-1 in the final. Field hockey is played on grass or artificial turf, and players use curved sticks to move a ball rather than a puck.

The timing aspect mentioned in the question is also worth noting. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were originally scheduled for 2020 but were postponed to 2021 due to the global pandemic. Despite being held in 2021, they retained the "Tokyo 2020" branding. This was the first time in Olympic history that the Games were postponed rather than canceled.

To avoid confusion in the future, remember that the Olympic Games alternate between Summer and Winter editions every two years. Summer Olympics feature sports like field hockey, basketball, swimming, and athletics, while Winter Olympics showcase sports like ice hockey, figure skating, skiing, and snowboarding. Understanding this fundamental difference helps clarify why certain sports appear in some Olympic Games but not others.