The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are well under way, having kicked off on Friday with a toned-down yet spectacular opening ceremony.
Although the Games are a bit muted without spectators in attendance owing to the pandemic, there is still plenty of excitement to come from watching some of the world’s best athletes compete against one another.
For those who can’t get enough of this year’s action, thankfully there is social media, as a number of Olympians have taken to TikTok to give a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in Tokyo.
From sharing what their rooms look like in the Olympic Village to giving their take on the food offered at the dining halls, there's plenty of content being shared. Here are the most interesting athletes to follow on TikTok:
Tilly Kearns (Team Australia, Water Polo)
The Australian Olympian has taken to TikTok to share how the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government have teamed up to ensure everyone stays safe for this year’s Games. In one video, she shows the safety measures at the dining hall, which include plexiglass, wearing gloves and disinfectant wipes.
Rebecca Edwards and Polly Swann (Team Great Britain, Rowing)
The duo are tracking their Olympic journey together under the handle @RowToTokyo. Their TikTok shows them trying on their Olympic uniforms, touring the Olympic Village, as well as documenting regular life in Japan.
Erik Shoji (Team USA, Volleyball)
The Olympian shows practice sessions with the US men’s volleyball team. He also includes videos about food, often sharing and giving his take on what's on offer at the dining halls in the Olympic Village.
Remedy Rule (Team Philippines, Swimming)
Rule, who also swims for the University of Texas, has shown her followers what the Philippines suite looks like in the Olympic Village. She has also created a video showing the sustainable swaps she’s made in Tokyo, as well as shared footage from the Olympic pool.
Tyler Downs (Team USA, Diving)
Even before qualifying for the Olympics, Downs, 18, already had a large following on TikTok. In addition to posting funny material, such as wanting to meet US star gymnast Simone Biles, he’s also answered fan questions about being at the Olympics. One of them has led to a review of the cardboard beds the athletes sleep in at the Olympic Village.
Kelsey Robinson (Team USA, Volleyball)
The two-time US Olympian offers a look at what goes on in a normal day for her at the Games, from getting tested for Covid to writing notes to Japanese students. She also filmed a first look at the Olympic volleyball venue and created one with her teammates answering the most common questions they get asked as professional volleyball players.
Francisco Caffaro (Team Argentina, Men's Basketball)
The Argentinian basketball centre is sharing his first Olympic experience through his TikTok. He's already shared one video that shows how the Argentinian contingent celebrated the opening ceremony, singing and dancing while waving their country's flag. He also posts videos from the Olympic Village, as well as ones that show him discovering new things around Tokyo.
Courtney Hurley (Team USA, Fencer)
The American fencer, who calls herself the "out of shape Olympian", has shared TikToks showing everything from the Team USA practice sessions to the room she shares with her older sister Kelly at the Olympic Village. In one memorable video, Courtney points out how different their sides of the room are in terms of neatness.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are on until Sunday, August 8. For more coverage of the Olympics, head here.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
