Tokyo, Japan, July 23, 2020: The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has released a video at the Olympic Stadium to mark one year to go until the exact moment the Opening Ceremony will be held for the postponed Olympic Games.
The video, which contained messages of support for all athletes aiming to participate at next year’s Games, was unveiled on the main screen of the Olympic Stadium at 8pm local time Thursday and expressed Tokyo 2020’s determination to keep a beacon of hope alive until sports can resume as normal.
As well as appreciating the efforts of the athletes who are currently striving every day to adapt to the ‘new normal’, the video expressed gratitude and respect for all those who are providing medical support and social care during these difficult times.
Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, who has been battling leukemia, shared a heartfelt message and invited everyone to take a step forward towards next year’s opening day.
“Imagine the world in a year: a world where the curtain is set to rise on the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.
Ikee, 20, was released from hospital in December 2019 after going through 10 months of treatment. The 2018 Asian Games OCA MVP resumed training in February 2020 and took her first swim in a pool after 406 days on March 17.
Ikee said: “When I was asked to take part I wondered if I was the right person for this occasion. I was not sure if I would be able to live up to such a role but, as discussions progressed, I realised I might not get a chance like this again. I was very excited to accept.”
IOC President Thomas Bach added: “With only one year to go, a mammoth task still lies ahead of us. I am deeply impressed and grateful for the extraordinary progress already being made in the preparations since the joint postponement decision.
“We are working to optimise the operations and services without touching on sports and athletes. In this way we can, together with the Organising Committee, turn these postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into an unprecedented celebration of the unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope and showing that we are stronger together.”
The new dates in 2021 for the Olympic Games are July 23 to August 8 and for the Paralympic Games August 24 to September 5.
Source: https://tokyo2020.org