Synchronised Swimming Olympic Medallist Ayano Egami Joins Tokyo 2020

Tokyo 2020, Japan’s bid committee to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, today announced that Ayano Egami, Sydney 2000 Games synchronised swimming silver medallist, has joined the team as the fulltime Head of Online and Social Media. Egami, who is well remembered in Japan for the highly distinctive choreography she performed with her teammates during the Sydney Olympics, will support the Tokyo 2020 bid with her rich Olympic experience and values, as well as her diverse background in the world of international sport.

Egami will develop communication strategy and coordinate messaging through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and the Tokyo 2020 website. She also will attendevents supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee, including speaking with people at these events to address their ideas and interests in Tokyo 2020 messaging.

Egami commented: "The Olympic values I have inherited from my synchronised swimming career have helped me to reach goals in my professional life. Now I want to share my ideas on a wider stage in support of the Tokyo 2020 bid. Though I wasn’t around for the Tokyo 1964 Games, when I listen to the athletes from this monumental event talk about their enduring passion, I am overwhelmed by the thought of how it would be a dream come true for the Games to return to this great city. I hope to contribute to this wonderful project and communicate to people that Tokyo 2020 will provide incredible energy for the athletes, the nation and indeed the world."

Egami also is an established coach who has supervised eight young athletes at the renowned synchronised swimming school, Imura Synchronised Swimming Club, where she herself learned the fundamentals of a sport she would go on to master. As a testament to Egami’s brilliant coaching skills, two protégés are now competing for London 2012 Games qualification.

Sharing her passion and experience with all children is in fact a priority for Egami. A firm believer in the Olympic Movement, she has actively volunteered to speak to children on the importance of pursuing one’s dreams and achieving one’s goals through respect, excellence and friendship.

Egami also has been vigorously involved in a number of major events hosted by Japan. As a respected planner and strategist, she played an innovative role in developing key messaging materials for the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, resulting in highly successful audience experiences for several years.

Whether she’s participating with team athletes or helping to organise major sporting events, Egami loves the thrill of working closely with people toward a common goal, making her an ideal selection as Head of Online and Social Media for Tokyo 2020.

Tsunekazu Takeda, President of both Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Olympic Committee, said: "It is essential that our bid draws on the wisdom of former athletes. Their passion for sport and their knowledge of the Olympic Movement are a crucial part of what we represent. The presence of Ayano Egami on our team immediately enhances our Tokyo 2020 bid and the messages we will communicate to the world."

For more information, contact: Phone: +81 3 6279 0049 / Email: pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp

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