We are almost within 200 days until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Perhaps the most iconic event of the Olympic Games opening ceremony is the lighting of the Olympic flame, as the torch is relayed through various cities throughout the host nation to signal the start of the Olympic Games. The torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will start from J-Village in Fukushima on 26 March, and the torch will be carried through 47 prefectures and 858 municipalities.

On 17 December, it was announced that the former members of Nadeshiko Japan who won the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 will be the first flame bearer of the torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Tokyo will carry the theme of reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. With the Nadeshiko Japan winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup three months following the natural disaster, not only did they surprise the world, but they also gave great hopes for the affected people in Japan.

J-Village has served as an iconic venue that symbolised the reconstruction efforts of the affected region and it will be the starting point for the torch relay of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Besides the members of the Nadeshiko Japan, many public figures will participate as flame bearers for this torch relay, so please stay tuned for the event and cheer on the 2011 members of the Nadeshiko Japan when they carry the torch.

Comments

SASAKI Norio, Former Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team)
We are honoured to be named as the first flame bearer to carry the "Flame of Recovery." Along with the members of the Nadeshiko Japan from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Germany, we hope to send out positive vibes to the affected regions.

Ando Kozue (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies/Former member of Nadeshiko Japan)
The members of the Nadeshiko Japan from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Germany will be reunited to start off the Olympic Games, and I am feeling very honoured and excited for this special occasion. Counting back from my high school days, I have visited the J-Village many times during my career and I have many memories from this venue. That is why it makes this event so special for me. Along with my teammates of Nadeshiko Japan I hope this torch relay will give positive hopes, dreams, and great energy to people all over Japan.

Ms. KAIHORI Ayumi (Former member of Nadeshiko Japan)
I am very honoured that the members of the Nadeshiko Japan from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Germany were named as the first flame bearer for this torch relay. J-Village is a special place for us, as we have spent so much time here during our playing career. Despite the country being deeply affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, we were given so much support and energy from the people of Japan in 2011. This time we hope to give back the favour as the flame bearer to pass down the legacy to the next generation. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will start from J-Village to unite Japan as one, and eventually unite the world as one. We will give our utmost efforts to carry out this important duty.

IWASHIMIZU Azusa (Nippon TV Beleza/Former member of Nadeshiko Japan)
We are very honoured to be named as the first flame bearer for this torch relay. We are also very grateful for this opportunity to reunite the championship members of 2011. The Great East Japan Earthquake is an unforgettable event, which happened to take place on the same year we won the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Germany. We hope to bring back the memories of the original “One Team” and send out positive vibes to the people of Tohoku!