Tokyo 2020 Mascots "Miraitowa" and "Someity" debut!
On July 22, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held the debut event for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games official mascots at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya in Chiyoda Ward.
The public mascot design contest held in August 2017 received over 2,000 entries from a wide range of generations. The final three designs were selected through class-based voting by elementary school students nationwide.
Voting took place across approximately 17,000 schools and 206,000 classes, including special needs schools and Japanese schools overseas. After the design proposals for both Games' mascots were finalized on February 28, 2018, the unveiling of their 3D forms and names was eagerly awaited.
Related article:Tokyo 2020 Mascot Design "A" Selected! Next Focus:Naming[March 1, 2018]
Swimmer Daiya Seto and Paralympic canoeist Monica Setari rushed to the event, eagerly awaiting the mascots' appearance.
The two athletes spoke about the special feeling and excitement of the Olympics and Paralympics, sharing their thoughts on the mascots: "There were no mascots on the podium in Rio, so I want one at the Tokyo Games," and "I was so happy to take a photo with the mascot in Rio."
As the stage backdrop opened, the two mascots appeared alongside six elementary school children from Chiyoda Ward, drawing cheers from the children in the audience.
Organizing Committee Chairman Yoshiro Mori and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike raised nameplates for the mascots in unison with the crowd's chants, announcing the Olympic mascot as "Miraitowa" and the Paralympic mascot as "Someity." Miraitowa was named with the wish for a wonderful "future" to be "eternal," while Someity combines "Somei Yoshino" (representing cherry blossoms) with "so mighty," signifying strength.
Chairman Mori told the children, "What matters most for the Olympics is world peace. The Games aren't just for athletes; the mascots belong to everyone too." Governor Koike added, "With two years until the Games, the mascots will energize the event as friends and companions. Please lend your support alongside the mascots."
■ "Mascot House" Opens
To mark the mascots' debut, the "Tokyo 2020 Mascot House" opened on the same day in the atrium on the first floor of Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, with the cooperation of Mitsui Fudosan (open until September 6). An opening ceremony followed the debut event.
The house features a shop selling official licensed merchandise, a photo corner where visitors can take pictures with the mascots, and a section where visitors can experience photo shoots simulating the new sports of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
At the ceremony, athletes Seto and Setari, along with two children, unveiled the house's signboard to celebrate the opening.
■ Mascot Water Parade (Photo provided by Tokyo 2020)
The mascots, which made their debut in Hibiya, boarded a boat that same day and departed from Asakusa. They held a water parade, passing through Ryogoku, Toyosu, Rainbow Bridge, and other locations, ending at Odaiba Seaside Park. Karate athlete Kiyo Shimizu and Paralympic track and field athlete Hajime Ashida were aboard the boat. They responded to the cheers of the crowds lining the riverbanks, promoting the mascots' debut.
Official Website:
https://tokyo2020.org/jp/news/notice/20180722-01.html
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