POSTED: Friday October 5th 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
33 London Games Medallists Join Thousands in Tokyo To Celebrate the Olympic Movement through Music
Tokyo, 5 October 2012 - Music filled the night as thousands turned out in Tokyo to enjoy the truly unique Olympic Concert. The concert by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra brings together music, culture and sport in praise of the Olympic Movement, by synchronising famous classical music tunes with highlights from the London 2012 Games projected on a large screen. Thirty-three medallists from the London 2012 Games took part in the event.
The event, a vivid demonstration of Japan's passion for sport, underscores Tokyo 2020's goal to bring together inspiration and innovation for a truly memorable 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The concert, hosted annually by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) since 1997, was this time held at the Tokyo International Forum, on 4 October.
Akiko Adachi, member of London 2012 Paralympic Games women's gold medal goalball team, said: "I used to play the piano when I was a child and have had a passion for music ever since, so hearing this wonderful music in person today is a truly amazing experience for me."
Ryota Murata, London 2012 Olympic Games men's boxing middleweight (75kg) gold medallist, said: "Looking back at the Olympic Games with today's music, I was able to see the Games from a different look this time. I realised once again how great the Olympics are, and I get excited just imagining the possibility of Tokyo hosting the 2020 Games."
As the conductor Yukio Fujioka mesmerised the audience with popular classical melodies and famous movie theme songs, the London medallists relived their performance shown on the large screen behind the orchestra. The concert venue, Tokyo International Forum, is proposed as a weightlifting venue in the Tokyo 2020 Games plan.
Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC member and President of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee and the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), said: "As a magnificent synthesis of sport, art and culture, the Olympic Concert is an opportunity for all of us-athletes, officials and citizens- to reflect on our passion for the Olympic Movement and its power to unite the world as only the Games can. Tokyo 2020 and its millions of supporters across Japan rejoiced in this celebration of the universal Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect. Japan would be deeply honoured to carry on this tradition by lighting the Olympic Torch in Tokyo for the 2020 Games."
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Keywords · Tokyo 2020 · Summer Games · Masato Mizuno · JOC · Akiko Adachi · Ryota Murata · Tsunekazu Takeda ·
Name: Masa Takaya
Organization: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: 81362790049
URL: http://www.tokyo2020.jp
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