Japan is fast becoming a swimming hotbed, preparing to host the 2020 Olympic Games in its capital city of Tokyo next year. The city also just concluded hosting the first stop of the 2019 FINA World Cup Series, while Fukuoka is the site of the 2021 FINA World Aquatic Championships.
With these huge productions taking place within a relatively short span of time, the organizers of each event are joining forces in the name of sharing resources and scaling costs. Specifically, the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee has entered into a partnership with the body overseeing Fukuoka’s 2021 FINA World Championships in an agreement designed to share best practices.
Preparation and management expertise will be shared between the two event coordinating teams, as will each other’s public relations activities in an effort to boost excitement and anticipation leading up to each event. ‘The organizers hope to provide a sustained boost to sporting activities in Japan and to help realize a society which promotes the active engagement of all citizens in sport.’ (Sport Business)
Sōichirō Takashima, vice-president of Fukuoka 2021 and Mayor of the city, said: “We will aim to cooperate through our hosting of the Fina Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier 2020 in Fukuoka – this will incorporate the final qualifying events for those aiming to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“We want to host a successful 19th Fina World Championship and convey the message from Fukuoka to the world – even after the Tokyo 2020 Games – that Japan is a vibrant and sporting nation.” (Sport Business)