Tokyo 2020 to partner with the Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (Tokyo 2020) and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation have signed a major partnership agreement, under which both organisations will exchange know-how and experience to support preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The partnership will give Tokyo 2020 the opportunity to deepen its understanding of how to prepare for and operate one of the most iconic events of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Tokyo Marathon Foundation's long-standing experience in organising and operating its annual event is likely to be a valuable factor in the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Tokyo Marathon organisers will in particular share their insights regarding the management of the flows of runners and supporters while minimising disruption to the city’s traffic, ensuring seamless security and managing volunteers, as well as setting up and implementing activities to promote the event. In return, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation will apply learnings that will be gained through the overall operation of the Tokyo 2020 Games as a legacy to enhance future Tokyo Marathon events.

Naoko Takahashi, marathon gold medallist at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 and Chair of Tokyo 2020’s Athletes’ Commission, said: “We hope to leverage the Marathon Foundation’s know-how derived from operating the Tokyo Marathon, one of the world's biggest citizens' marathons, in our preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games. That know-how and the experience we will gain running the Tokyo 2020 Games will hopefully be passed down as a legacy for future Tokyo Marathons. I believe that this partnership will create a valuable asset for the sporting community in Japan.”