Tokyo 2020 Delegation Leaves for London with Sights Set on 2020

As excitement about the London 2012 Games increases, Tokyo 2020 announced its delegation will depart Japan on Sunday, 22 July. The group of sport experts, senior government officials and private sector leaders are making the trip to observe the preparations for the Opening Ceremony and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The delegation will work with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the official International Olympic Committee (IOC) Observer Programme to gain valuable knowledge and experience.

According to Tsunekazu Takeda, President of both Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), "Our delegation’s goal is to interact with organising officials and soak up as much information as possible to enhance Tokyo 2020’s Candidature File. Our visit to London is a key step in helping us fine-tune the best Games Plan possible for Tokyo 2020, and to eventually stage Games of excellence and excitement that will delight Japanese people and the world."

Tokyo 2020’s delegation of sport officials and other distinguished members are looking forward to the opportunity to keenly observe every aspect of the Games, from transportation to accommodation to security. "For an event of this magnitude, attended by the public and international dignitaries alike, every detail is important," Takeda added.

Tsunekazu Takeda, President of both Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC); Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo and Tokyo 2020 Chairman; Masato Mizuno, JOC Vice President and CEO of Tokyo 2020; Yasuhiro Nakamori, Director of the JOC President’s Office and Tokyo 2020 Executive Board Member; Yuko Arakida, Tokyo 2020

Sports Director and Chairperson of the Athletes Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia; and Tokyo 2020 Communications Director Tokuaki Suzuki are leading the delegation.

"Tokyo 2020 is fully behind Japan’s Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and I hope that our athletes’ performance at these Games further ignites the Japanese passion for the Olympic Movement and helps promote our bid," Takeda said. "The Games, the pinnacle of sport, have the power to unite and inspire, and I know that I, along with the rest of the nation, will be proudly watching our athletes striving for gold in London and inspiring a new generation of athletes in the process."

Mizuno added: "It is a marvellous opportunity to watch the Games in London, but we will be watching it as more than just enthusiastic spectators. In addition to enjoying what promises to be a celebration of the Olympic Movement, we will be paying close attention to the precision and detail that goes into organising the world’s greatest sporting event."

Key dates:

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) will announce the Japanese Olympic Team on Saturday, 21 July 2012.

Tokyo 2020 will host a press conference at the London MPC (Main Press Centre) on Saturday, 28 July, the day after the Opening Ceremony.

Hiromi Sato Manager, International Communications, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee

Phone: 03-6279-0049 / Fax: 03-6279-0157 / pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp

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