Olympians driving Sports Caravan across Japan ahead of Tokyo 2020

26 | 6 | 2019

As Tokyo 2020 fast approaches, children across Japan are learning the true meaning of Olympism and being introduced to new sports by a group of 18 Olympians who are travelling and teaching in a Sports Initiation Caravan.

The aim of the Caravan and classes is to demonstrate the joy of active, healthy lifestyles, the satisfaction of competition, and the spirit and values of the Olympic Movement.

The scheme is funded by WOA’s Grants Programme and, after conducting a survey of more than 500 participants, it has been hailed an immense success, with one attendee commenting that the event changed the Olympics from “a dream place” to something she “wants to achieve”.

Discussing the Caravan, WOA President, Joël Bouzou OLY, said:

“I am inspired by the Olympians Association of Japan and I’m so proud to see them using their organisation to spread the message of Olympism. This is a great example of exactly why the WOA Service to Society Grants are so important. This shows that the funding is being used to create real, meaningful aspirations for children across the globe. These attendees in Japan will be a generation that grows up with Tokyo 2020, and I am very happy to see the OAJ seizing the opportunity.”

2019 WOA Grants Programme

The WOA Grants Programme empowers Olympians to deliver projects that serve the needs of Olympians and helps them to spread the spirit of Olympism in their countries, in line with WOA’s core mission.

Applications for 2019 funding are now open for the following categories:

• Service to Olympians
• Service to Society
• NOA Development

Grants of up to $5,000 USD each are available to support Olympian-led projects that benefit Olympians or local communities. CLICK HERE to apply and find out more important information.

Since 2016, WOA has given more than 120 grants to support NOAs worldwide. Projects have ranged from drowning prevention programmes in India and Lithuania, an Olympian-run community chicken farm in Zimbabwe, bringing sport to orphaned children in Malaysia and those affected by conflict in Colombia.