Japanese sports fans gathered on Friday for the Tokyo 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Supporters Assembly to show support for the Olympic Movement and Tokyo 2016.
The celebration of Tokyo 2016 and Olympism was held at the Yoyogi National Stadium, one of the city's historic 1964 Olympic Games venues still in use today. The event, attended by Governor of Tokyo and President of Tokyo 2016 Shintaro Ishihara, saw four-time Olympic gold medallist and national swimming hero, Kosuke Kitajima, unveiled as head of the newly created Tokyo 2016 Sports Supporters Squad – a team created to harness support for the Bid from all levels of Japanese society.
At the event, which showcased Japanese performing arts whilst highlighting Tokyo 2016’s unique Games plan, attendees heard about Japan’s commitment to host the most compact and sustainable Olympic Games in history. The occasion was organised by Tokyo 2016 with the cooperation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese Olympic and Paralympic Committees, demonstrating that support for Tokyo 2016 extends across all levels of Japanese civil society.
Kitajima, who won a total of four gold medals at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games, was joined by a host of Japanese sporting heroes, including Atsuya Furuta, Seoul 1988 baseball silver medallist; Nobuharu Asahara, Beijing 2008 4x100 metres relay bronze medallist; and Fumiko Okuno, double Barcelona 1992 synchronized swimming bronze medallist. The Tokyo 2016 event also attracted the support of several top Paralympians, including Takayuki Suzuki, Beijing 2008 50-metre breaststroke gold medallist and world record holder; and Mami Sato, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 women’s long jumper.
In addition to the elite sports men and women in attendance, high-level Japanese officials also played a major role in the event. They included members of the Japanese Diet (Parliament), the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Sports Association.
Kosuke Kitajima, said: “I was born and raised in Tokyo, to have the opportunity to see this incredible and vibrant city host the 2016 Games would be a dream come true! As a result of my commitment, I have been appointed the head and first member of the Tokyo 2016 Sports Supporters Squad.
“The Olympic Games are very special; athletes have to endure hard training to achieve the ultimate prize – the gold medal – we know those who achieve this standard are truly worth it.
“Tokyo 2016 would allow Japanese people to experience the excitement of the Olympic Games before their very eyes. I believe that Japanese children that watch Tokyo 2016 would dream of becoming Olympians themselves – if this happened, I would be truly proud of the Olympic Movement, Tokyo and Japan.”
Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo and President of Tokyo 2016, said: “What kind of dreams do you envision? Personally, I’ve been envisioning the dream of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Tokyo. Why don’t we share this enormous dream together? Tokyo 2016 would be an amazing gift for the young people of Japan. I dream of leaving an Olympic legacy for Japanese children and future generations. Together, let’s unite and bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Tokyo in 2016.
“I am very happy for Mr Kitajima’s strong support as the head of Tokyo 2016 Sports Supporters Squad. “
Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said: “I’m very excited to see the huge number of supporters I’ve witnessed today. People from all walks of Japanese life are represented amongst the thousands of attendees. The city is being unified by sport and Olympism and I can see the bonds strengthening as we come together for a common goal. At the heart of Tokyo 2016 is a commitment to unite our worlds – strengthening the bonds between people that create communities, the ties to the past that inspire the future and the shared passion for sport that unites us all."
