Olympic Agora

Since the early Olympic Games, sport and culture have been closely linked. Tokyo 2020 saw the creation of the first Olympic Agora – a meeting place for sport, art and culture.

This film explains the background and the benefits of this vibrant public space, which has left artworks for the community to enjoy for years to come.

We hear from the Head of International Cultural Affairs at the IOC’s Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, as well as some of the artists involved in the project.

More information

Olympic Agora Tokyo 2020

The inaugural Olympic Agora took place around the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, in Tokyo’s historic Nihonbashi district. On view from 1 July to 15 August 2021, this new initiative included an exhibition of Olympic treasures, a lively Agora Cafe and art installations by leading contemporary artists that reinterpreted the Olympic values for global audiences, with the mission to inspire and nurture solidarity, resilience and optimism among the international community.

More Tokyo stories

Volunteers

The volunteers are the driving force of the Olympic Games, working tirelessly to make them a success, showing incredible dedication and warmth. In this film, we hear the stories of Japanese volunteers Hiro Takeushui and Atsuko Limura, who helped at both the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 and Tokyo 2020. They demonstrate how the experience of volunteering can change lives.

Watch the video

Skateboarding

Following skateboarding’s debut on the Olympic programme at Tokyo 2020, skateboard sales soared and skate parks saw unprecedented numbers of people having a go – especially girls. This film captures the hopes of those within the skateboarding community for the growth of their sport.

Watch the video

Female Empowerment

The representation and involvement of women in sport have historically been significantly lower than for men – an issue that the IOC is working hard to address, as highlighted in this film. The Tokyo 2020 Games were the most gender balanced to date, with women accounting for 48 per cent of the athletes.

Watch the video

Inclusion and Diversity

By giving visibility to the largest number of publicly “out” athletes in Olympic history, the Tokyo 2020 Games positively shifted the mindset and behaviours towards the LGBTQ+ community. We hear from rower Emma Twigg (NZL) and triathlete Chris Mosier (USA) about their drive to inspire others.

Watch the video

OBS Broadcast Training Programme

The Broadcast Training Programme (BTP) offered local university students the opportunity to learn from the best in the business at the largest broadcasting event in the world. We meet some of the Japanese participants for Tokyo 2020, alongside those delivering the programme. Together, they shine a light on a truly life-changing experience.

Watch the video