Japanese and Canadian swimmers visit to Olympic Aquatics Centre

On 7 August 2018, about 20 swimmers from Japan and Canada had an opportunity to observe the construction site of the Olympic Aquatics Centre.

Fifteen Japanese, three Canadian swimmers and 20 officials from Japan, Canada, USA and Australia swimming federations who are in Tokyo to participate for the Pan Pacific Swimming Championship 2018 came to the venue tour organised by Tokyo 2020.

Olympic gold medallist of Rio 2016 Kosuke Hagino was one of the 15 Japanese swimmers who had attended the event.

“Every time I pass by here, I am aware that the building is gradually growing. But this is the first time for me to look at it at close range. My goal is to show the best performance in the Olympic two years from now and I am sure that this venue is going to provide us the best environment to achieve that.”

Canadian Olympic bronze medallist from Rio 2016 Kylie Masse took advantage of viewing the new Olympic venue.

“It is special to be able to be here today and see the construction site being built right now at its peak. It will be a beautiful facility and I am really looking forward to a race here in two years hopefully with the best time as well,” she said.

It was not only the construction site that waited the athletes at the site.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic mascot Miraitowa and Paralympic mascot Someity in raincoats also welcomed the athletes and posed to celebrate two years to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.