Japan Showcases Blending Of Old And New In Olympics

Japan has every right to be proud of its ancient heritage sitting comfortably alongside a passion for modernity. Centuries-old Shinto shrines nestle between glass skyscrapers, while traditional ryokans (inns) and teahouses compete with capsule hotels and robot cafés.

In the countryside, 285 kph bullet trains speed past cherry orchards which have barely changed for hundreds of years, according to a special Euronews report.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are a natural extension of Japan’s unique blend of old and new, say the Games’ organizers. Right from when the Games were awarded in 2013, the vision has been to build on Tokyo’s ancient cultural heritage whilst aiming to accelerate the city’s transition to a carbon-neutral, sustainable future.

Historic sports facilities such as the iconic Nippon Budokan - the spiritual home of Japanese martial arts - sit beside brand new venues built with the latest sustainable technology.

Under the banner 'Be better, together – For the planet and the people', Tokyo 2020 is showcasing solutions for a sustainable society.

“The world today is beset by many challenges of a global scale. […] People all around the world are pushing radical socio-economic reforms to solve these challenges and create a sustainable, inclusive society,” says the latest update to the pre-Games sustainability report, released just two weeks before the Opening Ceremony.

“Sustainability has grown in our collective consciousness and as a topic of interest worldwide. Because of this, people are looking to the Tokyo 2020 Games to play a significant role in addressing the challenges of creating a sustainable society.”

“Tokyo has a rich heritage and has shown its capacity to innovate, for example at the Olympic Games 1964. This time, the Games will accelerate the city’s move to a more sustainable future,” says Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability.

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