The event, which was co-hosted by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020), the Japanese Olympic Committee, the Japanese Paralympic Committee and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, featured a newly-created projection mapping display whereby a dazzling video light show was projected onto the façade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly building. The show was accompanied by music which showcased the attractions of the 2020 Olympic host city, as well as the power of sport, and gave an indication of what people can expect from the Games in three years time.

Tokyo 2020 President, Yoshiro Mori, spoke about the expansion of the Organising Committee as the Games edges closer. “It’s been three and a half years since the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee was established - it started with just 44 staff members; now, the number has grown to over 1,200,” he said. “As there are only three years until Tokyo 2020, we have commenced the preparation of more intangible aspects of the Games – the mascots, the torch relay and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.”

The Tokyo 2020 Flag Tour Festival / 3 Years to Go to the Tokyo 2020 Games event was also a prelude to the Nationwide Tokyo 2020 Flag Tour, which aims to spread the excitement and joy of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to every corner of Japan. The Olympic and Paralympic flags were brought to Tokyo from Rio last year following the conclusion of the 2016 Games and since then, they have been paraded through cities, towns, wards and villages in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, as well as places which were affected by the 2011 East Japan earthquake and through Kumamoto prefecture, which was also hit by a major quake last year.

With the countdown clock ticking, Mr. Mori reiterated his excitement about his country hosting the 32nd edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, while remaining confident that his country will host a spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games./. (Olympic.org)