"What does sports mean to you?" 1964 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games 50th Anniversary Week

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, designated October 6-12 as "Commemorative Week" to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Tokyo Games. Various events were held throughout Tokyo. The key message was "The Power of Sport, Towards the Future."

 

At Marunouchi Oazo in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, where the opening ceremony took place on the 6th, an "Athlete Talk Show" featuring both past and present Olympians was held from the 7th to the 9th. They shared firsthand accounts, starting with the social climate and excitement surrounding the 1964 Games, moving to the strong performances of Japanese athletes at Games held in the 80s and 90s, and concluding with their achievements at London and Sochi. On the 10th, a "Special Talk Show" was held at the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chiyoda Ward. Following the three days of talk shows, Olympians and Paralympians shared memories from their own Games participation and sent messages of encouragement to future athletes.

When asked, "What does sport mean to you?", they responded with sentiments unique to those who have experienced the Games: "A rollercoaster of emotions," "A continuous stream of refreshing accomplishment," and "The power of dreams that brings me the most joy."

 

Organizing Committee Chairman Yoshiro Mori, accompanied by 15 Olympians, Paralympians, and Youth Olympic athletes, announced the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Vision Outline: "What Tokyo 2020 Aims For."

Under the guiding principle that "Sport has the power to change the world and the future. In 1964, Japan changed. In 2020, let's change the world," three shared concepts were established across the perspectives of "Athletes," "Tokyo, Japan, and the World," and "Everyone": "Let everyone strive for their personal best," "Let each person recognize and respect one another," and "And let's connect to the future." The final Games vision is scheduled to be incorporated into the basic Games plan to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next February. Chairman Mori stated, "We will continue to listen to everyone's opinions and aim for final completion. We want to energize the 2020 Games with the whole of Japan."

  On the evening of the 10th, a "celebration banquet" was held at the Palace Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward. Approximately 850 attendees, including His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, IOC Vice President Craig Reedie, Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, and Olympians and related parties from Japan and abroad, gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tokyo Games. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, recalling memories from that time, stated in his address, "For the 2020 Games, we want to show the world that Japan is a country with a strong will to contribute to global peace and prosperity. We promise it will be remembered worldwide as the best Games ever."

 

Commemorative Week Special Site: tokyo1964.jp
Related Articles:
・Memorial Event Held Under the Same Blue Sky as 50 Years Ago(2014.10.17)
・Diverse Events Marking the 50th Anniversary(October 8, 2014)