Tokyo 2020 to allow fans to deliver text and video messages to athletes for stadium broadcast
Tokyo 2020 Launches ‘Tokyo 2020 Share the Passion’ Project
Will allow sports fans and family members from around the world to deliver messages of support to athletes during the Games
Tokyo, 25 June 2021 – The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) is pleased to announce the launch of the new Tokyo 2020 Share the Passion project. This initiative will allow athletes’ family members as well as spectators from all over the world to deliver text and video messages to athletes using the latest technology and social media platforms, with a selection of messages to be displayed on the big screen at certain venues. With the launch of this project, undertaken with the support of a number of stakeholders including marketing partners and Olympic Broadcasting Services, the Tokyo 2020 Games will become the first major international sports event to implement a ground-breaking digital remote fan engagement solution.
Support from spectators and family members are key to helping athletes perform at their best—and cheering on Olympic and Paralympic athletes is an unforgettable experience for spectators. Although this year’s Tokyo 2020 Games will be different to previous Games, the new Tokyo 2020 Share the Passion initiative will enable Olympic and Paralympic fans around the world to join the Games remotely and express their support for the athletes.
Tokyo 2020 President HASHIMOTO Seiko commented, “When we announced in March that overseas spectators would unfortunately not to be able to come to Japan for the Games, we also said that we would think of ways to help people around the world share their support for the athletes. Although the spectator seats may not be full, the many videos and messages shared through the Tokyo 2020 Share the Passion project and displayed on the big screen will fill the venues with support from around the world, and I am sure that it will further motivate the athletes as they compete.
“In a world in which many people have been separated from each other by the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that the Tokyo 2020 Games will help us renew our bonds with each other. We are all stronger together, and sport has the power to help bring the world together again. I hope that through these initiatives, we can share the special moments of the Games with as many as possible in a real spirit of solidarity. I am looking forward to many people around the world taking this opportunity to be a part of the Games and deliver their messages of support to the athletes.”
Alibaba Cloud Japan Country Manager UNIQUE Song also commented, “As a worldwide partner of the IOC, we aim to leverage our proven cloud technology to support a digitally transformed Games. As part of our mission, we also want to support the athletes through the Games despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.”.”For Tokyo 2020, we are proud to be launching a pilot project that will facilitate remote fan engagement directly with the athletes within the venues, as well as with other fans worldwide. Working with Tokyo 2020 and our broadcast partners, OBS has developed a suite of digital tools that will not only allow friends and family to engage with athletes within the venue, but also encourage fans all over the world to be actively involved in supporting their national heroes,” stated Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of OBS.
