Despite the fact that the Olympics will now take place in 2021 as a result of the postponement, they will be officially marketed as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The IOC will continue to use the Olympic flag and anthem during this time. The Olympics are an international sporting event held every four years. The games are based on a calendar made up of two blocks: the pre-Olympic period and the Olympic Games. During this time, countries can demonstrate their ability by organizing sports competitions or using them as a means of promoting their culture and values. The dates for the next Olympics will be announced at the IOC Session in September 2019. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. These annual events are considered the world's oldest national sport festival and exhibition. Participation in the Olympics is limited to those nations who are members of the IOC; otherwise, they be eligible to compete as independent entities. As of 2016, there are 101 countries that have qualified for at least one Olympic event. No nation has been awarded omissions since 1976 when neither Canada nor Mexico was allowed to compete in both football and baseball/softball. In 2009, South Africa withdrew from the Olympic Games because of its apartheid system.