Thomas Bach Hosts Japanese Students from Quake-hit Areas

(ATR) International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach hosted a group of students from northeastern Japan to discuss the region's recovery from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

According to Kyodo news agency, the five teenage "reconstruction ambassadors" from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in the Tohoku region told the IOC chief about the current situation in the area and the role of sports in its revitalization.

As Fukushima is set to host baseball and softball at the Olympics, Bach invited the youngsters to attend a game together with him.

This meeting on Monday followed the IOC Executive Board (EB) meeting in Lausanne last week. Bach and the EB discussed the upcoming editions of the Olympic Games, the protection of the integrity of sport and the athletes, and other institutional matters.

Yoshiro Mori, President of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee; Toshiro Muto, CEO of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee; and John Coates, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, gave their respective updates on the latest activities for the next Summer Games, according to IOC sources.

It was highlighted that, overall, Tokyo 2020 continues to deliver on key milestones in accordance with the agreed timelines, including the construction of new permanent venues.

Coincidentally Tokyo 2020 has published its latest progress report towards the delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Sustainability Plan.

Version two of the Sustainability Plan was published in June 2018 under the guiding principle of "Be better, together – for the planet and the people."

The progress report details achievements to date in the areas of climate change, resource management, the natural environment and biodiversity, human rights, labor and fair business practices, as well as involvement, cooperation and communications. It was published in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a set of international standards governing sustainability reporting.

Mascot Images Representing Sports Unveiled

On Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 unveiled images of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Mascot, Miraitowa, in a wide variety of poses, each representing one of the 33 sports on the Olympic Program for Tokyo.

These images of the Tokyo 2020 mascot will be used in various applications, including on licensed merchandise and other materials approved by Tokyo 2020, by authorities in Tokyo and other cities hosting Tokyo 2020 events, and by marketing partners.

The images are designed to improve awareness of the individual sports and disciplines among spectators and fans and thereby allow them to enjoy a more engaging experience, as well as raising the overall profile of the Tokyo 2020 Games, according to an IOC statement.

The Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to be held between July 24 and Aug. 9, followed by the Paralympics from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6.

Reported byMiguel Hernandez.