Brazil chooses training base for Tokyo 2020

There may be more than three years to go until the next Paralympic Games, but the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (BPC) is already getting organised for the competition by choosing the Japanese city of Hamamatsu as its training base in the lead up to Tokyo 2020.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday (1 August) by Brazil's National Paralympic Committee President Mizael Conrado and Yasutomo Suzuki, Mayor of Hamamatsu.

Brazil's representatives have long been in touch with Hamamatsu's and visited the facilities last June.

Mizael Conrado said: "Conversations with Hamamatsu began in 2016 and we were now able to reach an agreement. It was key in the process that Hamamatsu showed the intention to do the needed adjustments in their facilities and hotels to host our athletes. In the June's visit, we could see high-quality structures that will certainly enable us to smoothly arrive in Japan and train towards Tokyo 2020."

Hamamatsu has an estimated population of around 790,000 people and is located 260 kilometres southwest of Tokyo. The city also has the largest Brazilian population among Japanese cities.

At Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Brazil was eighth place in the medal table. The country won 72 medals - 14 golds, 29 silver and 29 bronzes, the highest amount ever achieved by the host nation.

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee is currently developing a new strategic plan, which will determine performance goals for both Tokyo 2020 and the 2024 Paralympic Games.