POSTED: Thursday September 17th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo 2016 reveals athlete-focus for Copenhagen delegation

Japanese Olympians standing up for Tokyo 2016.

Tokyo, 17 September 2009 – In keeping with its promise to the Olympic Movement to return the Olympic and Paralympic Games to athletes, Tokyo 2016 today revealed an inspiring team of Olympians and Paralympians who will promote Japan’s Bid in Copenhagen, ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 2016 Host City vote.

The 13 Japanese sporting heroes have won 31 Olympic and Paralympic medals – including 11 Golds - between them at 23 different Games, and carry the hopes of millions of Tokyo 2016 supporters in Japan. Each has provided invaluable insight during the course of Tokyo 2016’s two-year Bid, ensuring Japan’s capital is able to host the most athlete-focused Games in Olympic and Paralympic history. The elite athletes have also actively supported Tokyo 2016 at numerous events, reaching out to millions of youth to inspire them through sport.

The Tokyo 2016 Heroes’ squad consists of (alphabetically):

• Yuko Arakida, Montreal 1976 Gold medallist, Volleyball

• Yukiya Arashiro, the first Japanese national to complete the Tour de France

• Fumiyuki Beppu, Beijing 2008 Olympian, Cycling

• Seiko Hashimoto, Albertville 1992 Bronze medallist and seven-time Olympian, Speed Skating

• Junichi Kawai, 21-times medallist (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008), Paralympic Swimming

• Mikako Kotani, Seoul 1988 Bronze medallist, Synchronized swimming, Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member and Chair of the Athletes’ Commission

• Yasutaro Matsuki, former Japanese international footballer

• Shinji Morisue, Los Angeles 1984 Gold medallist in Gymnastics

• Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member, Athens 2004 Gold medallist, Hammer Throw

• Daichi Suzuki, Seoul 1988 Gold medallist, Swimming

• Aki Taguchi, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympian, Shooting

• Naoko Takahashi, Sydney 2000 Gold medallist, Marathon

• Yasuhiro Yamashita, Los Angeles 1984 Gold medallist, Judo

Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:

“In line with our promise to host the most athlete-focused Games in history, our delegation for the IOC Session in Copenhagen will include a large number of Japan’s finest Olympians and Paralympians who each believe in the 100-year legacy the Tokyo 2016 Games will create for sport, humanity and the youth of tomorrow. We are thrilled to have these heroes in our team and together we share the passionate goal of returning the Games to athletes and setting the stage for heroes to inspire youth worldwide.

“Tokyo 2016 has a truly united Bid with support from every level of society in Japan – from athletes, the Japanese Olympic Committee, Japan Paralympic Committee, national sport federations, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Government of Japan, and passionate supporters across the nation. Together, we share the ultimate dream of hosting the Games in 2016 and leaving an incredible legacy for the Olympic Movement and the world.”

The athletes were unveiled at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in front of the Governor of Tokyo and Tokyo 2016 President, Shintaro Ishihara, who was joined by senior leaders of Tokyo 2016, including Tokyo 2016 Chair and CEO, Dr. Ichiro Kono; President of Japanese Olympic Committee and Vice-President of Tokyo 2016, Tsunekazu Takeda; Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member and Chair of the Athletes’ Commission Mikako Kotani  and Chairman of the Japan Paralympic Committee and Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member of Tokyo 2016, Isao Hokugo.

Tokyo 2016 will reveal its full delegation for Copenhagen in due course.

Later today, Bid leaders will join a 400-strong group of Tokyo 2016 stakeholders and enthusiastic supporters, athletes and sport leaders, as well as representatives from business, government and entertainment, for a gala send off ahead of the delegation’s departure for Copenhagen. Guests will include former Prime Minister, Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member and member of the House of Representatives, Yoshiro Mori; Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, Tadashi Okamura; Chair of Metropolitan Assembly, Ryo Tanaka; world-acclaimed architect and Tokyo 2016 Executive Board Member, Tadao Ando; and world-famous fashion designer and Chair of Tokyo 2016 Supporters Club, Kansai Yamamoto.

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Keywords · Tokyo 2016 · Olympic Bids · IOC · Copenhagen

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