Olympic flame display ‘heartening symbol’ for athletes

JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita (right) at the Japan Olympic Museum. © Tokyo 2020
JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita (right) at the Japan Olympic Museum. © Tokyo 2020

Tokyo, Japan, September 1, 2020: The Olympic flame will be on public display at the Japan Olympic Museum in Tokyo as of Tuesday, September 1. 

The lantern was delivered during a special ceremony prepared by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. It will remain there until November 1.

"There was a lot of drama surrounding the delivery of the Olympic flame but we overcame various difficulties, just as track athletes must clear hurdles, and now it is on display here,” said Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro. 

“The flame will be carried in turn by about 10,000 torchbearers next year. We will use it to ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony and ensure the Tokyo 2020 Games are a great success. We will continue to work closely with all parties concerned to prepare for safe and secure Games."

Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita added: "I understand that the athletes aiming to participate in next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games are training amidst concern about the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am confident that the display of the Olympic flame in Japan will be a heartening symbol for them. I look forward to many people being able to see the Olympic flame when it opens to the public tomorrow."