TOKYO: One of the worldwide partners of the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola’s subsidiary in Japan has been named as the first presenting partner of the Tokyo 2020 Games’ Torch Relay named ‘Hope Lights Our Way’ that will begin on 26 March 2020 in Fukushima and travel during 121 days to all 47 prefectures in Japan, showcasing the varied cultural and scenic attractions of each region.
The idea of the Torch Relay this time is to unite the Japanese people around messages of supporting, accepting and encouraging one another as well as showcasing solidarity with the regions still recovering from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Starting with the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992, Coca-Cola has supported 13 Olympic Torch Relays, helping to recruit more than 16,000 torchbearers and activating on route for over 1100 days, refreshing and entertaining hundreds of millions of spectators and bringing the relay to life through exciting events.
Jorge Garduño, President of Coca-Cola Japan, commented on the development.
“We are tremendously proud to be the longest continuous partner of the Olympic Games, with a relationship that started back in 1928. And we have also been deeply involved in the Olympic Torch Relay since 1992. Today, we are extremely excited to announce that we have become the first Presenting Partner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay. As Tokyo 2020 approaches, we will be working as one team with our five Bottling Partners —Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc., Hokkaido Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Michinoku Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Hokuriku Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Okinawa Coca-Cola Bottling Company—to bring magic of the Olympic Torch across the nation to the people in Japan. Our goal is to spread the excitement of the Olympic spirit by offering once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of the Olympic Movement. We are sure that this will be an unforgettable and special experience.”
