The road to Tokyo: A week in quotes
Athletes around the world have been busying themselves in preparation for the resumption of live sport, with some countries allowing training complexes to open and others even giving the green light for competitive action to start.
Tokyo 2020 has been speaking to several athletes whose journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games is slowly gathering pace.
Carli Lloyd: Finding the sixth gear
Nothing is easy.
Nothing in life that’s worthwhile comes easy.
After missing the cut of selection for the USA's U21's national team, Carli Lloyd was devastated and made the decision to quit football. But she picked herself up from rock bottom and found that extra gear which led her to becoming a footballing legend.
Brisa Hennessy: A surfer in paradise
I am really looking forward to the Opening ceremony. Seeing the best athletes in the world, it just honestly gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
It will definitely be such a big fangirl moment.
As the world went into lockdown, Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy chose to stay with her family on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with some of the best surfing conditions in the world at her doorstep.
Already qualified for Tokyo 2020, the young surfer can't wait to compete at the Olympic Games and rub shoulders with some of the best athletes from around the world.
Israel’s baseball team: From dreamers to Olympians
The first team to actually qualify for the Olympics, was an incredible accomplishment from where we had come and where we are today.
Former Israel Association of Baseball President Peter Kurz had a dream for the national team: to go to an Olympic Games.
That was in 2017 and now Israel, who just have 1,000 baseball players back in their home nation, will be one of six teams vying for a medal at next year's Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after qualifying at the European representatives.
Ruman Shana: Archery, Olympics and beyond
I hope we become a stronger team in the future and get all world cup medals in team events like Korea, Italy, France and USA.
He is just the second Bangladeshi athlete ever to qualify directly for an Olympic Games but in a nation obsessed with cricket and football, Ruman Shana has dreams that his home country will become a powerhouse in the sport of archery.
MUROFUSHI Koji: 'Don’t throw away the chances you get. Take on a lot of challenges'
The Olympic and Paralympic Games have never been postponed, but I am sure we can give hope to many people if we can deliver a successful Games.
After becoming the first Japanese athlete to win gold in the men's hammer throw in Athens 2004 before adding bronze at London 2012, MUROFUSHI Koji currently serves as the Sports Director of Tokyo 2020.
Not only does Koji share the same advice he gives to young athletes but his words offer comfort during the difficult times the world is facing today.
