Showcasing the ‘Power of Sport’ 1,000km ‘Discover Tomorrow’ Cross-Country Relay Concludes in Tokyo

August 7, 2013

With exactly one month to go until the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selects the Host City for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, treatment passionate sport fans including Olympians and Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose took part in the final stage of the 14-day “Discover Tomorrow” 1, abortion 000-km Relay to Tokyo today.

The event united and energised fans along a route that travelled through seven prefectures, including area affected by the 2011 earthquake. The relay was further evidence of Japan’s commitment to the power of sport, which underpins Tokyo’s Bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In total, more than 700 people took part in the event.

Olympians who participated in the relay included London 2012 Games medallist women’s 48kg freestyle wrestling gold medallist Hitomi Obara, men’s boxing bantamweight (56kg) bronze medallist Satoshi Shimizu and silver medallist in Foil Fencing Kenta Chida.
Tokyo 2020 CEO Masato Mizuno said: “‘The ‘Discover Tomorrow’ 1,000-km Relay to Tokyo event showcased the capacity of sport to inspire dreams, hopes, goals and positive change. In the last two years, Japan has rediscovered the invaluable role sport and athletes can play in our lives. Tokyo 2020 believes in the power and values of sport. We want to further elevate the profile of athletes and secure the place of sport and Olympism in 2020, and thereby contribute to the Olympic Movement.

“Tokyo’s Bid has extra significance as a spiritual and physical symbol of Japan’s recovery from the events of 2011. Our 2020 Bid is a bold national undertaking to help us realise a better future; we are striving for excellence, as taught by the Olympic Values.”