Things to look forward to in 2021, from the Tokyo Olympics to the return of the Glastonbury Festival – iNews

It has been a year like no other and the world will not be sorry to see the back of it. But with hopes that a vaccine will bring an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, theres lots to look forward to as life starts to return to normal in 2021.

The highlight for many will be the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, which begin on 23 July. Japans prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, has said he will spare no effort to ensure the games are safe, with the delay expected to cost $2.8bn (2.07bn).

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I express my strong determination to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic, he saidina December speech.

While Team GB are thought unlikely to top the Olympic haul of 67 medals at Rio 2016, their exploits will unite the countryina much-needed celebration.

Tokyo feels like a very important moment to come together, not justinthis country but for the global community as a whole, Sir Hugh Robertson, the Chairman of the British Olympic Association, has said. We want and need to feel excited about something special, once again.

Other sporting events to look forward toinclude the delayed Euro 2020 football competition starting on 11 June, with the semi-finals and final due to be played at Wembley. England cricketers will head Down UnderinNovember for the Ashes with the series starting at the GabbainBrisbane.

Back at home, art lovers are eagerly anticipating the Liverpool Biennial of contemporary art, which starts on 20 March.

The event, which had to be rescheduled due to Covid-19, is being led by Ecuadorian curator Manuela Moscoso and will showcase work by more than 50international artistsinthe citys galleries, museums and public spaces.

On 11 May, the Royal Horticultural Society will open its 44m new garden at Salford. The garden, with a masterplan designed by world-renowned landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, will feature spaces aimed at supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing.

The ManchesterInternational Festival also returns on 1 July for 18 days of original new work and events from the spectrum of performing and visual arts and popular culture.

Already announced, The Walk will see an 11ft-high puppet called Little Amal, representing displaced refugee children, begin a 5,000 mile journey from GaziantepinTurkey across 70 towns and villages through Europe before arrivinginManchester for the opening weekend of the festival.

There are also hopes that the Glastonbury Festival will go ahead on 23 June after its 50thanniversary gathering, with headliners Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Sir Paul McCartney, was among events that had to be cancelledin2020. Organisers Michael and Emily Eavis said earlier thisyearthe festival could go bankrupt if it fails to happen in 2021.

The Reading and Leeds festivals will also return for the August Bank Holiday weekend, with headlinersincluding Liam Gallagher and Stormzy.

Other traditional events such as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, the Grand National, the London Marathon, the Notting Hill Carnival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are also expected to go ahead.

Were going to have a summer nextyearthat everybody can enjoy, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said, after announcing arrivalinthe UK of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Between now and then weve got to hold our resolve. Lets all respect the restrictions we have to live our livesinfor now.

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Things to look forward to in 2021, from the Tokyo Olympics to the return of the Glastonbury Festival - iNews