The Tokyo 2020 Games are in full swing and while we’re all getting hyped over athletes flexing their techniques and battling it out for the big gold discs, there’s something else that’s doing some seriously heavy lifting – the music being played during events. Honestly, big shoutout to whoever is choosing the tracks for the sports this year, because they 100% deserve a gold medal themselves for their selections.
Considering the Opening Ceremony features a bunch of tracks from video games like Sonic The Hedgehog, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy, it’s unsurprising that energy has carried through into the events themselves.
THEY COULD HAVE CHOSEN ANY TYPE OF MUSIC TO PLAY AT THE OLYMPICS BUT JAPAN SAID OUR VIDEO GAME SOUNDTRACKS ARE BANGERS AND ARE DESERVING OF REAL MUSIC RECONGITION GOD BLESS.
— Maku (@TropicalMaku) July 23, 2021
For instance, I was casually watching the archery early on in the Games, and between rounds someone definitely thought it was a choice moment to blast Jason Derulo‘s 2013 bop, Talk Dirty To Me. Dunno about you but people aiming bows and arrows at a target definitely calls for that weird little whistle/kazoo hook that loops in the chorus of that particular track.
Will Sparks has been blasted out during the Aussie Rugby 7s game. People have reported hearing Panic! At The Disco’s High Hopes repeatedly over several different events. Apparently the volleyball has been going off, with sports journo Kate Halliwell noting she’d heard KPop group Top, followed by Bon Jovi, Pitbull, Avril Lavigne, and the theme song for Fresh Prince Of Bel Air in quick succession.
in the last five minutes i have heard bon jovi, avril lavigne, journey, pitbull, and the theme from fresh prince of bel air. i’m obsessed with these choices, it is chaos in this arena at any given moment
— Kate Halliwell (@katehalliwell) July 28, 2021
Hell, in one morning I heard Foo Fighters‘ Best Of You back to back with Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation– truly an insane combo for the baseball, but go off I guess.
Honestly, someone make up a gold medal specifically for the DJing going on at the Games. It’s making everything even more enjoyable than it already is.
Skateboarding – in its maiden year of being an Olympic sport – has had a belter of a playlist running, including The Cure, Pixies, and Joy Division. Even skate legend (and official commentator) Tony Hawk recognised the elite-level of music selections happening at the park. Can’t get much higher praise than that, really.
I’m currently at the inaugural Olympic skateboarding event as The Faction’s “Skate and Destroy” plays over the loudspeakers. Welcome to our world.
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 25, 2021
I’d be completely remiss if I didn’t also give honourable mentions to the Women’s gymnasts who have chosen some phenomenal music to soundtrack their floor routines. I’ve heard instrumental versions of ‘Survivor‘ by Destiny’s Child and Dua Lipa‘s Physical, and Simone Biles did her routine to Tokyo Drift by Teriyaki Boys, which is just above and beyond.
OMFG IM WATCHING OLYMPIC GAMES #Tokyo2020 AND THEY PLAYING TOKYO REV OPENING AS MUSIC BACKGROUND IN GYMNASTICS
— Car || Joker Out COME TO SPAIN (@yat_oh_my_god) July 25, 2021
After a bit of digging around, I found that Los Angeles Lakers vibe-setter DJ Roueche has been on the ones and twos at the Beach Volleyball events, which people online have recognised as some of the most lit events at the Games this time around.
Womens beach volleyball keeps playing 2010s pop music and it’s so wild, like I never thought I’d hear Kesha during the Olympics in 2021
— Sveven (@NeverEver_Out) August 2, 2021
the broadcast i’m cutting doesn’t have commentary so i’m just listening to music and watching men’s beach volleyball with fat joe playing in the back is an experience
— Hayley McGoldrick (@GoldieOnSports) July 31, 2021
He’s been blasting out everything from Rage Against The Machine to Kesha during his sets by the sand, which is a hell of a mood. Interestingly, DJ Roueche posted a video on Insta showing how he pulled together his Tokyo 2020 sets, where he revealed that there’s a whole list of approved music to choose from. I guess that avoids any awkward moments like if someone accidentally dropped Limp Bizkit’s 1999 hit, ‘Break Stuff‘.
Honestly all I want is for someone to play Shania Twain before the Games close out. Is that too much to ask for?
