Launch of The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center

On Tuesday, June 2, Governor Masuzoe attended a press conference announcing the establishment of The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center.

At the press conference, the governor said, “As someone who has worked hard for the development of disabled sports, I have strong feelings for the launch of this support center. Without the success of the Paralympic Games, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will not be successful. I am very happy with the establishment of a center to support the Paralympics. Now we will need to discover and raise promising athletes and strengthen sports federations. Our ideal is for people with disabilities to lead lives, enjoy life and play sports, just like people without disabilities. I want to use the 2020 Games as an opportunity to make Tokyo a truly barrier-free city incorporating universal design.”

In Japan, many para-sports federations lack a solid organizational footing or management, and many para-athletes need a better training environment. Established by The Nippon Foundation, the new support center will work to strengthen the foundations of para-sports federations, prepare a better training environment, raise public awareness of Paralympics, and nurture volunteer leaders.