2020 will mark the beginning of change for Japanese society ~ Expectations for the competition, as shared by world-class blade jumper Markus Rehm

A record-breaking 4,400 athletes are expected to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Over 12 days from August 26 to September 6, intense competition will unfold across 22 sports and 540 events. With one year until the opening ceremony and interest growing, world-class long jump star Markus Rehm, who has achieved back-to-back championship wins, visited Japan. He shared his impressions of Japan and his aspirations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

―How many times have you visited Japan? What is the purpose of your visit this time?

This is my fifth time visiting Japan. I stayed in Tokyo for about two weeks in 2016 to film the NHK Special "Miracle Body," which aired before the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In 2018, I competed at the Japan Para Athletics Championships in Gunma Prefecture, achieving a throw of 8.47 meters. This broke my own world record (8.40 meters) for the first time in three years.

The purpose of my visit this time is to promote the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. I want to greatly increase people's interest in the Games, which are just one year away. I'm participating in countdown events and giving various interviews. We want to make the Games wonderful, so I really hope everyone will come to the stadiums.

―What are your impressions of Tokyo and Japan?

I have a very positive impression of Japan. The Japanese food culture is wonderful, and walking through the city, you can feel the excitement from the people. When I return to Germany, I definitely want to come back to Japan again.

Regarding accessibility in the city, features like tactile paving and signage are well-established for the visually impaired. I felt that wheelchair users can easily access many places. However, there are some minor concerns, like hotel facilities and pathways. I hope these issues will be resolved by 2020.

―You won the Junior World Championships in 2009. Looking back from then to now, have you seen changes in the environment surrounding the Paralympics?

I believe the major turning point was the 2012 London Games. The Paralympics' visibility skyrocketed, and public interest reached a high level that seems to continue today. It's not just about increased awareness; I feel an atmosphere has developed across society where people are trying to understand the value of the Paralympics.

Needless to say, people with disabilities are part of society. I believe we need to talk more openly about this, and having a disability is absolutely not a negative thing. Some people are tall, others are short. Some use wheelchairs, others, like me, have prosthetic limbs. These differences should simply be seen as one characteristic among many.

I want to spread the Paralympic spirit far and wide: that even with a disability, if you want to achieve something, you absolutely can, and you are given a fair chance. Through this, I want people with disabilities to become integral members of mainstream society. I hope to convey this message widely during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

―Please tell us your goal as an athlete for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Also, please share a message for Japanese sports fans.

I was fortunate enough to win gold medals in the long jump at two consecutive Games: London and Rio de Janeiro. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, I am determined to win my third gold medal and promise to give it my all. Specifically, I aim to get as close as possible to my own world record, or even surpass it.

I love Japan and have participated in the Japan Para Athletics Championships twice. I've noticed that Japanese Paralympic fans seem to have a strong desire not only to watch the competitions in the stadium but also to interact with the athletes.

For us athletes, the growing interest and expectations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics are incredibly heartening. While many recognize the 2012 London Games as the greatest in Paralympic history, if we can host Tokyo 2020 in an atmosphere where the Japanese public and Paralympic athletes unite as one, it has tremendous potential to become an even more spectacular event than London.

Tokyo's cityscape is changing, and accessibility is improving. I want people with disabilities to feel encouraged to go out into the city and take pride in themselves. I hope the Tokyo 2020 Games will make Japan a place that welcomes everyone and mark the beginning of change in Japanese society.