POSTED: Friday July 10th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paralympics: Tokyo 2016 On the Road to Berlin

Athlete Led Tokyo 2016 delegation heading to 4th International Paralympic Day Celebrations

Tokyo, 10 July 2009 – Led by Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympic Shooter Aki Taguchi, a Tokyo 2016 expert delegation is heading to Berlin today to take part in the 4th International Paralympic Day and to celebrate Paralympian heroes in the German capital. Tokyo 2016 delegates will engage with Members of the Paralympic Family, providing details on how Tokyo plans to host the most compact, sustainable and athlete-focused Paralympic Games in history.

A pioneer in urban solutions that benefit disabled people, the vibrant and safe city of Tokyo and its world-renowned transportation network are already in the process of implementing new cutting-edge best practices as part of a greater vision to create a 100% barrier-free urban environment and share it with the world through an inspiring Games in 2016.

Accompanying Aki Taguchi—a passionate athlete who helped explain Tokyo 2016’s Paralympic project to the IOC during the IOC Evaluation Commission Visit in Tokyo last April—the strong team of experts includes Tokyo 2016 Director for Strategic Planning Koshi Nemoto, Tokyo 2016 Technical Director of Paralympic Sports and Japan Paralympic Committee (JPC) Secretary General Kunio Nakamori, Tokyo 2016 International Promotion Bid Relations Deputy Director Maki Kaneko and JPC Deputy Manager of Performance Development Shinji Nakamae. Tokyo 2016 will operate an exhibition booth to share its passion with thousands of sport fans from all over the world.

An inspiring Paralympian shooter, Aki Taguchi will meet with enthusiasts to share her passion for the bid and further explain the key benefits of Tokyo 2016’s visionary Paralympic Games Plan. She said:
“I support the Tokyo 2016 Bid because I firmly believe that the Games in Tokyo will be a major turning point in the history of the Paralympic Movement. Tokyo 2016 will enhance the lives of disabled people, not only in Tokyo, but across the world by showcasing a fully accessible city that uses cutting-edge, universal design so that Paralympians and spectators enjoy full access to all venues.

 “The Olympic and Paralympic Games have the power to be a catalyst for major change and will rapidly transform the city of Tokyo, providing a long term physical legacy. Tokyo 2016 will also demonstrate a society in which everyone can achieve his or her full potential regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity or age – with or without a disability.”

 Kunio Nakamori said:
“We are delighted to be in Berlin and have this opportunity to celebrate with the International Paralympic Committee, the athletes and sport fans worldwide the success of the Paralympic movement. Tokyo aims to be the most trustworthy and dependable of partner for the Paralympic Family and we are indeed proud to pursue today Japan’s unique historic commitment.”

“Tokyo 2016 will be a showcase of sustainability and offers an inspiring 100-year legacy to the Paralympic Movement. The Games in 1964 marked the beginning of Paralympism and the Disability Sport Movement in Japan. The Paralympic Movement can count on Tokyo 2016 to further enhance this legacy.”

“As a glimpse of what is to come, Tokyo will stage the Asian Youth Para Games in September this year. This will further increase awareness and excitement at the prospect of the Paralympic Games in the heart of Japan’s vibrant capital city.”

Tokyo is indeed brimming with excitement as it prepares to welcome young Asian Paralympians to the 2nd Asian Youth Para Games, which will be held in Tokyo from 11 to 13 September. In the run-up to this event, Tokyo will be hosting a special Japan Paralympic Day on 8 August. The event will be held at Yoyogi National Stadium and Olympic Plaza, both proposed venues for Tokyo 2016. Paralympians will be in attendance, interacting with passionate sport fans to build momentum and promote the Paralympic Movement.

In Berlin, the 4th International Paralympic Day will be held on Saturday, 11 July on the Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate. It will be placed under the patronage of German President Dr. Horst Koehler. The event includes clinics, fun activities, as well as a cultural programme. Top athletes will participate and perform live, offering a great opportunity for sports fans to interact with the champions and meet elite Paralympic athletes. Along with a Wheelchair Basketball match between the German and Dutch women’s national teams, a Long Jump competition and several other sport presentations will take place throughout the day. Spectators attending from all around the world will also have the opportunity to try their hands at Paralympic sports and create their own Paralympic experience.
 

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Keywords · Tokyo 2016 · Olympic Bid · Paralympics

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