The Rock Stars of Tokyo: GOATs who will set the Games alight

The 2020 Tokyo Games could see the greatest gathering of sports people ever assembled as a herd of GOATs look for one last shot at Olympic glory.

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The world’s GOAT-herders assemble! The 2020 Tokyo Games is set to farewell some of the greatest sports people on the planet as they seek an Olympic swansong.

LEBRON JAMES

Earlier this year, he uttered four words that would have had Tokyo organisers doing cartwheels: “I love the Olympics”.

The world’s greatest basketballer has experienced the Games three times for the US Dream Team, winning bronze in 2004 and gold in 2008 and 2012.

Having LeBron committed creates a flow-on effect with his fellow NBA stars putting their hands up to be a part of an all-star line-up that could rival the original Michael Jordan-led Dream Team from 1992.

The superstars set to light-up the Tokyo Games.

TIGER WOODS

The Olympic Games is like a scratch Tiger Woods needs to itch.

Given the struggles with his body of recent times, the 15-time major winner knows the clock is ticking on his Olympic dream.

“I don’t know how many more times I get a run at it,” Woods said. “Next time I’ll be 48. I don’t have that many chances of playing for the United States in the Olympics.”

Woods will need to maintain form given the 2020 Olympic qualifications are based on world rankings, with the top 15 players in the rankings assured of a berth, with a limit of four golfers per country.

Tiger Woods launched his Olympics bid at The Masters. Picture: AFP

ROGER FEDERER

Given his magnificent Wimbledon performance, there is no sign of Roger Federer slowing down anytime soon.

And there is one trophy in tennis which has eluded the Swiss ace - an Olympic gold medal in singles.

Federer has always placed special importance on representing Switzerland at the Olympic Games, He was the country’s flag-bearer in Beijing in 2008 where he won gold in the doubles with Stan Wawrinka.

But his four attempts at singles gold have failed and after missing Rio in 2016 because of injury, the 20-time Grand Slam winner knows Tokyo will be his final chance at Olympic glory.

Olympic singles gold is the only thing missing from Roger Federer’s cabinet.

ALLYSON FELIX

The graceful American sprinter is looking to compete at her fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo and has her sights on becoming the most decorated US track and field athlete in Games history.

Nine Olympic medals, including six golds, has Felix only behind the Flying Finn Paavo Nurmi (12 medals) and Carl Lewis (10) on the medal tally.

She is already the greatest medal winner in world championship history and at the age of 33 is on the comeback trail following the birth of her first child last year.

Track star Allyson Felix could make history in Tokyo. Picture: Getty

KELLY SLATER

A season-ending knee injury to world tour leader John John Florence has opened the door for Kelly Slater to compete on the waves he pioneered.

Should the 11-time champion qualify for next year’s Olympics, Slater, 47, would be the oldest member of Team USA in Tokyo.

And while there’s still plenty of work for Slater to do if he is to qualify, many pundits believe this month’s J-Bay Open was the catalyst for a serious Olympic bid.

“I would like to compete there. Obviously I would have to go through the proper preparation and qualification to do that,” Slater told the BBC last year.

“I have won 11 world titles, but that doesn’t guarantee me a spot and I haven’t won a world title in many years so I will need to get my act together.”

SAM KERR

The best player in women’s football will be out for redemption in Tokyo.

In 2016 the Matildas lost in the Rio Olympics quarter-finals to host Brazil and that disappointment was followed by more heartache at this year’s World Cup.

Kerr was left shattered about Australia’s early exit to Norway via a penalty shootout and has vowed to bounce back at the Olympic Games.

She showed all her superstar qualities early in the World Cup, scoring a history-making four goals against Jamaica.

SHAUN WHITE

He already has three winter Olympic gold medals but Shaun White wants to join a select group who have also claimed the ultimate at the summer Olympics.

The introduction of skateboarding at Tokyo has given the king of snowboarding the opportunity to make history.

While the snow has been his priority, White, 32, does own a handful of X Games skateboarding medals and admitted last year a “big passion” of his was to make the summer Olympics.

Only five athletes in history have won medals in both summer and Winter Olympics.

Shaun White could become just the sixth person in history win medals at the Summer and Winter Games. Picture: Getty

CAN I GET A TICKET TO TOKYO OLYMPICS?

With a year to go to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, demand for tickets is breaking records across the world.

Millions of Japanese are clamouring for seats at their home games, and Australia’s official ticket provider, CoSport, reports that 96 per cent of tickets available to Australians sold within hours of going on sale on July 10.

If you don’t have tickets but want them, that doesn’t sound promising. But CoSport spokesman Michael Clyne says ticket inventory can change for reasons such as customers’ cards getting rejected, venue seating coming into clearer focus or additional tickets being released.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The first step is to register your email at CoSport.com as a way of staying up to date with future ticketing developments. Keep checking the website for updates, too.

ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

Yes, CoSport also sells hotel-ticket packages inclusive of accommodations, expert guidance and event tickets. You can self-select available tickets to favourite sports, or rely on CoSport to pre-select events.