Olympiad Song Contest 51

Semi-finals dates
 Final dates
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Director
 Executive supervisor
 Host
 Number of entries
 Voting system
 Winning song

**The Olympiad Song Contest** welcomes the world to the  United Kingdom for the **51st** Edition.

The **Olympiad Song Contest #51** will be the **51st** edition of the annual Olympiad Song Contest. It will take place in the **Cardiff International Arena**, located in **Cardiff**,  United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the **50th** edition with Grace Carter performing **Heal Me**. This will be the **4th** time the country hosts the contest.

The contest is scheduled to consist of **2** semi finals and finally the grand final, with official dates for the semi finals being **6th May 2020** for semi final 1 and **8th May 2020** for semi final 2. The grand final official date being the **13th May 2020**. All three live shows were hosted by  **Zoe Salmon, Alex Jones, Lorraine Kelly & Holly Willouhgby**.

As of **26th April** **44** confirmed countries participated in the contest. **0** countries have made their debut. **17** countries returned to the contest after absences, while **10** countries withdrew. Originally,  Colombia,  Iceland,  Malaysia and  Puerto Rico were not in the original confirmed country list. However, it was decided to allow them to compete as it would make the contest more exciting and would allow the show to be seen by more viewers sparking potentially more confirmations next edition.  Japan was set to compete in the edition but the deadline for entry submissions was 3rd May and as such Japan did not send an entry and was therefore withdrawn from the contest.

 Japan was originally set to perform in Semi Final 2 after the allocation draw was revealed.

## Location

It will take place in the **Cardiff International Arena**, located in **Cardiff**,  United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the 44th edition with Grace Carter performing **"Heal Me"**.

### **Venue**

The **Cardiff International Arena** in **Cardiff**, which has a capacity of approximately **12,500** attendees, was announced as the host venue on **23rd April 2020**. This will be the Arena's first time hosting the contest.

### **Bidding phase and host city selection**

Following **UK's** triumph, the Olympiad Broadcasting Union (OBU)'s Executive Supervisor for the Olympiad Song Contest, issued the hosting invitation to **BBC** during the winner's press conference.

**BBC**, announced on **18th April 2020** that with the contest being held in  **United Kingdom** that any city, town or arena that would like to host the contest would had four days to apply to the broadcaster with their interest.

The following selection criteria were outlined for the selection of the host city:-

* The venue must be covered with a capacity of at least 1,000 but ideally up to 10,000 attendees.
* An international press centre must be able to accommodate no less than 1,550 journalists.
* Venues must also be provided for the opening and closing ceremonies of at least 3,000 attendees.
* The host city must be able to guarantee the safety and security of participants, members of delegations and guests.
* The host city must provide a social program alongside their bid, showcasing the hospitality, originality, cultural values and identity of both the city and country.

     **Host City**

## Format

### **Visual Design**

The theme for the contest, **Individuality**, was unveiled on **23rd May 2020** in a press conference. Its visual design features a uniquely designed Liquid logo that alludes to the ideas to adapting and fluidly changing to what you need to become your greatest self. The contest's Executive Supervisor remarked that the theme and logos "resonate with OSC's core values, including diversity, very well.

### **Presenters**

On **18th April**, **BBC** announced that the contest would be hosted by **Zoe Salmon**, **Alex Jones**, **Lorraine Kelly** and **Holly Willouhgby**. The 4 hosts are to symbolise the union of the 4 nations that create the United Kingdom:-  Northern Ireland Zoe Salmon,  Wales Alex Jones,  Scotland Lorraine Kelly and  England Holly Willoughby.

**Spokesperson 1**:- **Zoe Salmon**

**Spokesperson 2**:- **Alex Jones**

**Spokesperson 3**:- **Lorraine Kelly**

**Spokesperson 4**:- **Holly Willouhgby**

### **Voting**

The competition will consist of **02** semi-finals and a final. The **10** countries with the highest scores in each semi-final will qualify to the grand final where they will join the top 6 countries from the previous edition  **Denmark,  Germany,  Lebanon,  Mexico,  Slovenia and the host nation  United Kingdom**.

Each participating country had their own national jury/HoD. Each member of a respective nation's jury is required to rank every song, except that of their own country, to produce an overall ranking from first to last place. The song which scored the highest overall rank received 12 points, while the tenth-best ranked song received 1 point.

### **Semi-final allocation draw**

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on **29th April 2020**. The **44** semi-finalists had been allocated into **6** pots, based on the geographical locations of the nations. Drawing from different pots helps to increase suspense in the semi-finals. The draw also determined which semi-final would be broadcast and voted by each of the six automatic finalist countries ( **Denmark,  Germany,  Lebanon,  Mexico,  Slovenia and the host nation  United Kingdom**).

* Finland
* Iceland
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Sweden
* Malta
* Canada
* Colombia
* Chile
* Paraguay
* Puerto Rico
* United States
* Ireland
* Liechtenstein
* Portugal
* Spain
* Switzerland
* Israel
* Palestine
* Serbia
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* Greece
* Italy
* Morocco
* Poland
* South Africa
* ~~Japan~~
* Malaysia
* Myanmar
* Philippines
* South Korea

## Participating Countries

As of **26th April** **44** confirmed countries participated in the contest. **0** countries have made their debut. **17** countries returned to the contest after absences, while **10** countries withdrew. Originally,  Colombia,  Iceland,  Malaysia and  Puerto Rico were not in the original confirmed country list. However, it was decided to allow them to compete as it would make the contest more exciting and would allow the show to be seen by more viewers sparking potentially more confirmations next edition.  Japan was set to compete in the edition but the deadline for entry submissions was 3rd May and as such Japan did not send an entry and was therefore withdrawn from the contest.

 Japan was originally set to perform in Semi Final 2 after the allocation draw was revealed.

### **Returning Artists**

The contest featured 'XX' artist that have previous competed in the contest, András Kállay-Saunders competed in edition 15 and 50 for  United States. This will be the first time competing for his heritage country of  Hungary. Amaranthe have competed two times in the contest prior to this edition and has reached the top ten in the grand final both times. Ella Henderson is the only artist returning that has been close to victory when reaching second place in edition 10. 3 artists are all returning from the same edition; Gabbie Hanna, Teodora and Yall, all of which competed in edition #45.

* Hungary András Kállay-Saunders [Prev.  United States#15,  United States#50]
* Iceland Hatari [Prev. #46]
* Lebanon Gabbie Hanna [Prev. #45, #50]
* Serbia Teodora [Prev. #45]
* Spain Yall [Prev.  Andorra#45]
* Sweden Amaranthe [Prev.  Denmark#39, #48]
* United Kingdom Ella Henderson [Prev. #10]
* United States Alaska Thunderfuck [Prev.  US Virgin Islands#34]

### **Other Countries**

* Andorra - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Andorra was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Sara Serena was chosen to represent Andorra with 'Duele Decir Adiós'.  Andorra reached the grand final but did not qualify to the live shows.
* Angola - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Angola was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final. Deolinda Kinzimba was chosen to represent Angola with 'More Than 100'.  Angola competed in semi final 2 and failed to qualify to the grand final.
* Belgium - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Belgium was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Natalia Druyts was chosen to represent Belgium with 'Boom'.  Belgium reached the grand final but did not qualify to the live shows.
* Czech Republic - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Czech Republic was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Mikolas Josef was chosen to represent Czech Republic with 'Colorado'.  Czech Republic reached the grand final but did not qualify to the live shows.
* French Polynesia - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, French Polynesia was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final. Toa Valantin & Fanvel was chosen to represent French Polynesia with 'Fight For Love'.  French Polynesia competed in semi final 2 and failed to qualify to the grand final.
* Greenland - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Greenland was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Hampenberg & Jesper Nohrstedt was chosen to represent Greenland with 'Glorious'. This is the 3rd time that Hampenberg & Jesper Nohrstedt have tried to compete in the contest.  Greenland reached the grand final but did not qualify to the live shows.
* Hong Kong- On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Hong Kong was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Jackson Wang was chosen to represent Hong Kong with '100 Ways'.  Hong Kong competed in semi final 1 and failed to qualify to the grand final.
* Japan - On 18th April 2020, Japanese broadcaster NRK announced their participation to the 51st Olympiad Song Contest. The deadline for entry submissions was the 3rd May 2020 to which Japan did not send a song to approve. On the 4th May 2020 it was decided that Japan was to withdraw its original participation and would not compete in the contest in Cardiff,  United Kingdom
* Jordan - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Jordan was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Ayah Marar was chosen to represent Jordan with 'Beg Borrow Steal'.  Jordan competed in semi final 2 and failed to qualify to the grand final.
* The Netherlands - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, The Netherlands was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final. Lisa Lois was chosen to represent The Netherlands with 'Sihouette'.  The Netherlands competed in semi final 1 and failed to qualify to the grand final.
* Slovakia - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Slovakia was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Martin Harich was chosen to represent Slovakia with 'Fight For You'.  Slovakia reached the grand final but did not qualify to the live shows.
* Singapore - On 25th April 2020, the day before the country confirmation deadline, the head of the OBU invited several to compete in an international selection where 12 countries would compete for one place to go to Cardiff,  United Kingdom to compete. On 27th April, Singapore was revealed as one of the twelve countries competing in a series of semi finals and one grand final.Jasmine Sokko was chosen to represent Singapore with 'Hurt'.  Singapore competed in semi final 1 and failed to qualify to the grand final.

## Finals

### **Semi Final 1**

**19 Countries** are participating in this Semi Final with  **Denmark,  Germany** and the  **United Kingdom** voting as 3 of the 6 automatic qualifiers of this edition. The top 10 countries that score the highest number of points will qualify to the grand final. This is to balance out the number of participants in each semi final to give each country a fair and equal chance of qualifying

     Qualified

### **Semi Final 2**

**18 Countries** are participating in this Semi Final with  **Mexico,  Lebanon** and  **Slovenia** voting as 3 of the 6 automatic qualifiers of this edition. The top 10 countries that score the highest number of points will qualify to the grand final. This is to balance out the number of participants in each semi final to give each country a fair and equal chance of qualifying

     Qualified

### **Grand Final**

26 Countries will create the grand final. 10 from Semi Final 1, 10 from Semi Final 2 and the automatic qualifiers  Denmark,  Germany,  Lebanon,  Mexico,  Slovenia and the host nation  United Kingdom.

The draw on  Denmark,  Germany,  Lebanon,  Mexico,  Slovenia and the host nation  United Kingdom positions in the running order were done prior to the Semi Finals.

## Scoring

### **12points**

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the Grand final:

### **Scoreboards**

#### This is how the votes were scored in each Semi Final.

     Voter was replaced
     Qualified

## National Selections

Here is a list of all the national selections held this edition.

  TBD