Photos: Tokyo marks 1,000 days countdown ahead of 2020 Olympics

(Photo: AFP)


Soaked up in the excitement of hosting the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo on Saturday marked 1,000 days until the mega event.

The ceremony included demonstrations of new sports that will debut at the Summer Games.

“The Olympic Games has the power to bring dreams to children and cultivate a peaceful society,” Tsunekazu Takeda, president of the Japanese Olympic Committee, said as quoted by AFP.

“The success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is necessary so that sport can contribute to foster a better society and world peace,” Takeda added.

In the event, attended by 15,000 people, four tableaus numbered 1,0, 0 and 0 were carried through the streets to the main stage where a countdown display was unveiled.

Have a look!

Participants carry “dashi” floats numbered 1, 0, 0, and 0 at the opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Olympics countdown “1,000 days to go” event (Photo: Toru YAMANAKA/AFP)
The city of Tokyo celebrated 1000 days to go until the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games (Photo: Toru YAMANAKA/AFP)
Tokyo’s preparations so far have won high praise from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (Photo: Toru YAMANAKA/AFP)