IPC × WOWOW Paralympic Documentary Series "WHO I AM" Commemorative Forum Featuring Gold Medalists to Mark Broadcast Launch

A commemorative forum for the start of the IPC × WOWOW Paralympic documentary series "WHO I AM" was held on October 20 at Yurakucho Asahi Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. This series, which profiles the world's top para-athletes, was launched jointly by WOWOW and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to commemorate WOWOW's 25th anniversary. It began airing on October 22nd this year, coinciding with the Rio Games, and will run for five years until the Tokyo Games in 2020.

At the forum's opening, WOWOW President Akira Tanaka stated, "Over five years, we will feature approximately 40 para-athletes, focusing this year on eight athletes who excelled in Rio. Watching the program will show just how incredible they are, and I firmly believe it will inspire viewers. WOWOW's wish is for as many people as possible to learn about the outstanding performances, energy, and human appeal of the world's top para-athletes, and for every venue at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics to be filled to capacity."

Craig Spence, Director of Communications and Media at the IPC, commented on the program featuring world-class athletes: "WOWOW's documentaries do an excellent job of showing what kind of training Paralympians undergo and the results they achieve. Please enjoy this program."

Next, Junichi Kawai, President of the Japan Disabled Swimming Federation; Ellie Cole (Australia), gold medalist in swimming at the Rio Paralympics; Mei Ichinose, member of the Japanese swimming team at Rio; and Tomoko Hagiwara, member of the Japanese swimming team at the Sydney Olympics, took the stage. They reflected on the Rio Games and shared their thoughts on the sport and their determination for future endeavors. At the forum's conclusion, actor Hidetoshi Nishijima, serving as the program's navigator and narrator, presented a bouquet to Cole. Cole stated, "I think this program will show not just Ellie Cole the athlete, but other parts of me like my personal life and family. And I really hope to see everyone again at the 2020 Paralympics."

WHO I AM airs every Saturday at 9:00 PM. The first episode focuses on Brazil's Daniel Dias (swimming). Subsequent episodes will feature USA's Tatyana McFadden (athletics) and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Safet Aribasic (sitting volleyball). Cole's documentary will air on November 12.

Details are available at ( http://www.wowow.co.jp/documentary/whoiam/ ).