NOCs Mark Two Years To Tokyo 2020

USOC Counts Down Tokyo in LA

The United States Olympic Committee will host its two years to go events in Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

A number of Olympics will run sports programs and share their experiences at the Little Tokyo district in the city. Olympians Dana Vollmer, Ashleigh Johnson, Maggie Steffens, and Carlin Isles will lead the countdown in Los Angeles.

Simultaneously, an event in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles, will feature a scrimmage between the Japan and U.S. women’s volleyball teams. The scrimmage will prelude an actual match on July 27, as part of a training camp by the Japanese national team in Anaheim.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti took part in the Tokyo 2020 two years to go countdown alongside counterpart Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike.

""One of the things I’m really looking forward to in Tokyo 2020 is the atmosphere, the traditions, the culture, and really just my teammates," Kim Rhode, a six time Olympian, said in a statement about two years to go provided by the USOC.

"Each [Olympics] is unique and so different. I can’t wait to see what Tokyo brings."

Brazil Expects More Sponsorships for Tokyo

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) hopes sponsors will turn their attention to Olympic sport now that the Football World Cup in Russia is over.

That aspiration was expressed publicly by Brazilian Olympic leaders during a press conference marking two years to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympic Games for "the new COB", a product of reforms that were forced upon it after its suspension by the International Olympic Committee in October 2017.

The provisional punishment of the COB, which lasted only four months, was the result of the arrest of its president, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, for alleged acts of corruption.

The Olympic entity has since developed a process of modification of its statutes and its government.

"All the effort we have made to reduce costs, such as contract review and downsizing, is to be reversed in the improvement of our teams' preparation," the new COB president, Paulo Wanderley, told reporters.

Brazil hopes to repeat a good performance like the one made at the Rio de Janeiro Games where the home country finished 13th in the medal table (seven gold, six silver and six bronze). For Tokyo there will be fewer athletes and less money.

"The resources will always be a big concern ... After the World Cup, we understand that companies will turn their eyes to the Tokyo Games," commented Olympic judo champion at Barcelona 1992, Rogério Sampaio, director general of the COB.

Australia Getting Ready for "Home Games"

The small time difference between Australia and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is a benefit to the country’s fans.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll said in a statement that Tokyo is practically a "home Games." Ian Chesterman, Chef de Mission of the Australian team, said the 2020 delegation could be the largest in the country’s history.

"We are looking at a team of around 470 athletes and the two years to go mark provides a focus for everyone striving to be part of the Australian Team in Tokyo," Chesterman said to the media.

Written by Aaron Bauer, MIguel Hernandez and Jeffrey Farek

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