Team GB demonstrates its support for Tokyo with One Year to Go

Today marks one year to go until the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following the historic decision to postpone the event until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Team GB has reaffirmed its support for its friends and partners in Japan with the latest iteration of its ‘This is What Makes Us’ marketing campaign, which focuses on the diverse characteristics of the nation’s favourite sports team, as it seeks to bring the nation together in the build-up to and during Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo is What Makes Us’ is an open letter to Tokyo; a destination that holds a very special place in the heart of Team GB. In 1964, the city hosted the first Olympic Games to be staged in Asia in an event that symbolised re-emergence and peace. 56 years on, Tokyo represents something just as powerful; a beacon of hope to the world and a celebration of unity.

Narrated by double Olympic taekwondo medallist Lutalo Muhammad, Tokyo is What Makes Us acknowledges the huge challenge faced by the Tokyo Organising Committee against the backdrop of the devastating pandemic, but also sends reassurance that when the time comes, Team GB will be stronger and more ready than ever to make the nation proud.

It was announced last week that the all venues intended for the Games in 2020 had been secured for next year along with confirmation of the sports competition schedule, marking a significant step forward in the planning and preparation for 2021.

Coinciding with a year to go is the launch of Team GB’s campaign to encourage Great Britain to be more physically active, ‘I Am Team GB,’ presented by Toyota. In the absence of being able to get together to exercise in their communities, Team GB is inviting the nation to keep moving at home, with athletes and influencers setting simple, fun challenges for everyone to do at home with the message – I Am Team GB. Are you?

Cyclist Laura Kenny, sport climber Shauna Coxsey and boxer Cheavon Clarke are all taking part in the campaign alongside Team GB legends like Greg Rutherford and influencer Laura Crane. The campaign will come to life across Team GB’s social channels including a hashtag challenge on social media platform TikTok.

Elsewhere, not wanting the British public to miss out on any sporting action in the absence of a Games this summer, Team GB will be hosting the ‘Team GB Games’ across its social channels from 24 July to 9 August. Each day, fans can watch history making moments in a schedule that will mirror that of the Tokyo Games, had it taken place this year.

Commenting on a year to go, Team GB Chief Executive, Andy Anson, said: “It is against a very different backdrop that we are celebrating another year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The last four months have been challenging for everyone, but we are immensely proud of the attitude and commitment demonstrated by every Team GB athlete throughout this period and also by everyone involved across Team GB. The athletes have the power to unite the nation and will undoubtedly give everyone something to look forward to again in Tokyo next summer.”

Team GB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Mark England, added: “It’s hard to believe that we are on the eve of what would have been the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Our ambition has always been for Team GB to be the best prepared Olympic team in Tokyo, and that hasn’t changed as a result of postponement. We were in great shape before lockdown and thanks to our valued partners, stakeholders and the team that has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, we can safely say that this remains the case.

“Most importantly, we want to thank the athletes who have all been ambassadors for Team GB and their sports during this time. We know you will make the entire nation proud next summer.”

I Am Team GB challenges and the Team GB Games content will be posted across Team GB’s social channels from 23 July, using the hashtag #TeamGBGames.