Tokyo 2016 officials welcomed Asian Paralympic Committee Chairman Dato Zainal Abu Zarin to Tokyo Tuesday as the city began preparations to host the Asian Youth Paralympics from September 8 to 15, 2009.
Japan’s Paralympic Committee and Tokyo 2016 signed agreements with the Asian Paralympic Committee to strengthen ties of friendship, increase changes, and promote greater understanding of disabilities.
The Tokyo 2016 bid committee issued a media release saying that the Asian Youth Paralympic Games will gather more than 1000 individuals including athletes and staff members from more than 20 Asian countries for events that will take place in four locations that are proposed 2016 Olympic venues.
Tokyo 2016 says it views the meeting this week as a great opportunity to deepen its relationship with the Asian Paralympic Committee and learn more about the needs and aspirations of disabled athletes as it moves into the Candidate City phase of the 2016 bidding process. As a part of its bid Tokyo 2016 plans to host the Games with 95 per cent of the venues located inside an 8-km radius thereby providing exceptionally easy access to all venues.
Tokyo Governor and Tokyo 2016 President Ishihara said, “Tokyo is looking forward to welcoming all the athletes, trainers, coaches and others coming to Tokyo for the 2nd annual Asian Para Games next year. The opportunity these Games provide for the athletes to gather, compete, and strive for excellence despite their disabilities is extremely beneficial not only for the athletes themselves but also for all others fortunate enough to be involved. We hope the Para Games in 2009 will provide inspiration and encouragement to all the athletes so that we will welcome them again to Tokyo for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
