I’ve been saved by sports activities many instances. In the 13 years since I turned president, there hasn’t been a time I may say was peaceable. Throughout all of it, nevertheless, it was athletes who inspired me. Those athletes bearing the Toyota title on their backs at all times expressed gratitude for the help they acquired to compete, saying, “We will win!” and “Toyota will never lose.” They have given their all, it doesn’t matter what difficulties they confronted. Whenever I noticed these athletes refusing to surrender, I, too, felt I needed to do my greatest and never quit. It is not any exaggeration to say that Toyota overcame many hardships due to the help that sports activities have given us.
So, how can we return that favor? I’ve by no means forgotten that query, and that’s what led Toyota to help the Paralympics. Toyota turned an IPC companion in 2015 and launched a program to help Para-athletes. Last 12 months, when the Paralympic Games have been held, we heard messages of gratitude from Para-athletes who have been capable of proceed competing as a result of of that program, and as soon as extra, it was athletes encouraging me. I imagine that sports activities have the energy to present us all braveness. Listening to these Para-athletes, I once more realized the large energy of sports activities to broaden human potential.
This new area mission incorporates two concepts of ours. The first is to point out “gratitude to sports and athletes.” The second is to present “continued support to people who push their potential.”
This area will turn into the new residence of Alvark Tokyo, Toyota’s basketball crew, however we hope it would additionally turn into sacred floor for all types of different competitions. We hope that it’ll additionally present energy to parasports and competitions with a low quantity of opponents, low recognition, and few supporters.
I’m assured that when individuals can see, first-hand and close-up, competitors with athletes they’ve by no means seen earlier than, looking for to set new data by no means earlier than achieved by humankind and opening up new potentialities, and truly succeeding in that, many individuals―together with us―will really feel encouragement and pleasure.
The TOKYO A-ARENA PROJECT begins as we speak, and we hope to attach with many individuals who share and help our concepts in the future. I hope we will make this a sacred floor for athletes who push their potential whereas sharing concepts with everybody. Thank you on your help.