Road to Tokyo: OLYs shine at Tokyo 2020 test event

31 | 7 | 2019

To mark one year to go to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) has honoured Olympians competing in its beach volleyball test event at Shiokaze Park venue in Tokyo.  

12 Olympians were awarded their OLY titles, along with framed certificates and pin badges by the FIVB, in collaboration with the Olympians Association of Japan, Japanese Volleyball Association and the local Organising Committee of the Olympic Games. 

The event was part of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 2019, which welcomed athletes from around the world to test their skills at the Olympic venue that will host the sport at next year’s Summer Games. 

Among those to receive their OLY titles on behalf of World Olympians Association, were Yukiko Kito OLY, Sachiko Sagara OLY, Yukiko Ishizaka OLY, Teruko Nakano OLY, Shoji Setoyama OLY, Kazuyuki Takao OLY, Mika Fukui OLY, Chie Arita OLY, Chiaki Kusuhara OLY, Ryoko Ito OLY, Kentaro Asahi OLY and Katsuhiro Shiratori OLY. 

“What better way to mark one year to go to Tokyo 2020 than to honour the Olympians, who play such an important role in securing the impact and legacy of the Olympic Games, with OLY,” said WOA President Joël Bouzou OLY.

“I wish all Olympians and athletes on the road to Tokyo the very best of luck as they strive to compete on sport’s greatest stage in just 12 months’ time. Beach volleyball promises to be an exciting spectacle on the waterfront in Tokyo and I cannot wait to see the competition unfold.” 

Four-time Olympian Yukiko Kito OLY, who competed in volleyball at Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 before switching to beach volleyball at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, said: “Competing at the Olympic Games was a moment of great joy for me and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am proud to accept the OLY title as an enduring reminder of my role as an Olympian, in sport and in life. I can’t wait to welcome my fellow Olympians to Tokyo 2020 next year for what will be a wonderful celebration of the Olympic spirit.”  

WOA launched the OLY post-nominal letters initiative in November 2017. Since that time more than 10,000 Olympians worldwide have been granted the honour, which serves as a constant public reminder and recognition of an Olympian’s achievements in the field of sport, as well as a recognition of their status in society and their commitment to furthering the Olympic ideals.  

Olympians can apply for their OLY post-nominal title HERE.