Descripion:

The torch takes its inspiration from the sakura cherry-blossom, a symbolic tree in Japan. It flares out at the top to form five petals from which the flame emerges and which, seen from above, recall the shape of a cherry-blossom flower. The pink colour of the torch is also a reference to the sakura, and the central upper part features the Tokyo 2020 Olympic emblem. The torch features a two-combustion mechanism that produces a high calorific blue flame and a flameless catalytic reaction. This ensures that the flame stays alight and has a reddish colour.

Colour:

Sakura and gold

Length:

71cm

Start date:

12 March 2020, Olympia (Greece)

End date:

23 July 2021, Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (Japan)

First torchbearer:

Anna Korakaki, Olympic participant in shooting (2016, 2020 and in the Youth Olympic Games in 2014), gold and bronze medallist in Rio 2016.

Last torchbearer:

Naomi Osaka, Olympic participant in tennis (2020).

Number of torchbearers:

10,515 in Greece and Japan Recruitment of torchbearers: Applicants could be of any nationality but had to have been born before 2 April 2008 and have a specific connection to the location in which they wanted to carry the torch. Priority was given to people who had been a positive, driving force in their local communities or had demonstrated fortitude in the face of difficult circumstances. Applications were submitted via the Relay Presenting Partners – Coca-Cola Japan, Toyota, Nippon Life and NTT Communications – or the country’s prefectures. Up to five applications were permitted through these various channels, but the same person could be selected only once. Following the postponement of the relay to 2021, priority was given to torchbearers who had already been selected.

Distance:

~ 2,000km covered by torchbearers

Countries visited:

Greece and Japan

New Tokyo 2020 emblem symbolises unity in diversity

The emblem presentation was the culmination of an inclusive process that attracted design proposals from around the world and welcomed opinions from the public. More than 40,000 people shared their views on the final four designs shortlisted by the Tokyo 2020 Emblems Selection Committee from among 14,599 emblem entries.

The final selection, submitted by designer Asao Tokolo of Tokyo, was chosen by the Selection Committee and approved by the Tokyo 2020 Executive Board. Tokolo, who graduated in architecture from Tokyo Zokei University, is an active artist whose works have been featured in several exhibitions in Japan.

The chequered emblem, rendered in the traditional Japanese indigo blue, became formally known as “ichimatsu moyo” in the Edo period (1603-1868).

The circular pattern of varying rectangular shapes represents a coming together of different countries, cultures and ways of thinking. The message is in keeping with “unity in diversity,” one of the three concepts, along with “achieving personal best” and “connecting to tomorrow” that provide the foundation for Tokyo 2020’s Games vision.

IOC Vice-President John Coates, the Chair of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission, said, “The new Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 emblem symbolises important elements of the Tokyo 2020 Games vision. The public engagement in the selection process is another sign of growing interest in the 2020 Games. Interest and excitement will continue to build, in Japan and globally, after the official hand-off to Tokyo 2020 at the close of the upcoming Olympic Games Rio 2016.”

Name

Miraitowa

The Olympic mascot is called Miraitowa, which is derived from the Japanese words “mirai” (future) and “towa” (eternity). This name was chosen to promote a future full of eternal hope in the hearts of people all over the world.

Description

With its traditional and futurist style, the mascot embodies both the old and the new, echoing the concept of "innovation from harmony". Its forehead bears the emblem of the Tokyo 2020 Games, whose traditional chessboard motif is composed of indigo blue rectangles of three different sizes.

Creator

Ryo Taniguchi

Did You Know?

In August 2017, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee received 2,042 designs submitted as part of a competition open to anyone aged 18 or over resident in Japan. Then, by means of a selection process in several stages, the number of proposals was progressively reduced to leave three finalists, which were announced at the beginning of December 2017.

The task of electing the winner from the three finalist projects was given to the children of Japanese primary schools, with each class having one vote. The voting period extended from 11 December 2017 to 22 February 2018, and 205,755 classes from 16,769 schools participated. The project of Ryo Taniguchi won with a total of 109,041 votes.