A key component of Tokyo's successful bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics last September, the project is seeking to collect ideas from youngsters with a view to further refining the existing vision for the Games.

This idea was originally developed during the candidature phase under the tagline "Discover Tomorrow". 

During a visit to an elementary school in the capital city today, Murofushi acted as a guest teacher of fifth grade pupils to explain the Olympic values and to inspire them to look forward to Tokyo 2020.

"We want to inspire the new generation with the Olympic spirit," said the 39-year-old, whose attempt to become a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission ended during 2012 after he broke strict campaign rules.

"They are the future of our nation; that's why we want them to be actively involved in our preparations.

"It is of crucial importance to make young people realise that this is also their Games and they have a key role to play throughout the entire process of our preparations and during the Games themselves.

"We are looking forward to receiving everybody's suggestions to help us ensure the success of the 2020 Games."

Tokyo 2020 sports director Koji Murofushi has inspired Japanese youngsters to look forward to Tokyo 2020 ©Tokyo 2020/Shugo Takemi



These children will now have the opportunity to contribute more directly to the project by writing an essay during their summer holidays during which they will describe their dreams for 2020 and the future they want to build for Japan by the time of the Games in six years' time. 

Similar essays and suggestions will also be sought from older age groups and it is hoped many of the ideas received, from young and old people, will be incorporated into the finalised version of the Games.

Tomorrow, the Organising Committee will also launch a dedicated website to invite these contributions, which will become accessible here. 

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