Nov. 30, 2018

Toyota becomes Presenting Partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay

November 30, 2018―Tokyo, Japan―Toyota today announced that it has partnered with The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee) to become the Presenting Partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay.

: Kawai EVP at Nagano 1998 Olympic Torch Relay 20 years ago

Through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay partnership, the company aims to bolster excitement for the Games and also empower people across Japan including disaster-affected areas by expressing gratitude towards its stakeholders and deepen relationship with local partners through activities such as a campaign to recruit torchbearers, the torch relay itself, and related events. As official mobility partner, Toyota will also take part in the Olympic Torch Relay with vehicles providing the lead car and showcasing exciting new mobility technologies.

Toyota's current Executive Vice President Mitsuru Kawai was appointed as a torchbearer at the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998 as one of the representatives of the company. Reflecting on the significance of the Olympic Torch, Kawai said: "The Torch represents the spirit of Olympism. I remember feeling the weight of the Torch from the responsibility and history it represents, when I carried it at Nagano 1998. Toyota wants to help create an inclusive society where anyone can challenge their impossible and I can tell you that all Toyota members are eager to join forces as a company to support the organising committee's Torch Relay concept 'Hope Lights Our Way'."

: Kawai EVP at Nagano 1998 Olympic Torch Relay 20 years ago

Toyota has recently supported the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games Torch tour providing Hilux and Prius. Also Toyota vehicles were used in all past Japan-hosted Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998.

Crown Eight
Land Cruiser 50
First Generation Prius

Crown Eight
from Tokyo 1964 Olympic Torch Relay
Land Cruiser
from Sapporo 1972 Olympic Torch Relay

: Harrier and 1^st Generation Prius from Nagano 1998 Olympic Torch Relay

Toyota became the official worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2015, and aims to contribute to the smooth operation of the Tokyo 2020 Games through providing latest mobility, know-how and technologies. Toyota is also helping to build up anticipation for the Games through sports and grassroots community activities.

About Toyota's Top Olympic Partnership and Worldwide Paralympic Partnership

Toyota became the official worldwide mobility partner of the IOC and IPC in 2015 for the 2017-2024 period, covering the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 (Korea) and Beijing 2022 (China) and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Japan) and Paris 2024 (France). As a partner, Toyota aims to encourage creating a peaceful society without discrimination through sports and a commitment to creating a sustainable society through mobility. Toyota's values of continuous improvement and respect for people are shared by The Olympic and Paralympic Games, which brings together the entire world in friendship and solidarity to celebrate the highest realization of human potential. Toyota believes that mobility goes beyond cars; it is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true, which is encapsulated in the company's "Start Your Impossible" corporate initiative and is the basis for its transformation from a car company to a mobility company. When you are free to move, anything is possible.

Reference: Toyota's vehicles used at past Olympic Games in Japan

	Torch Relay	past Olympic Games
Tokyo 1964	7 vehicles (Crown Eight, Crown, Corona)	95 vehicles (Corona, Master Line, Crown, Dyna, Light Van etc.)
Sapporo 1972	3 vehicles (Land Cruiser)	51 vehicles (Coaster, Crown etc.)
Nagano 1998	36 vehicles (Prius, Harrier)	1,520 vehicles (Crown Majesta, Caldina, Ipsum, Corolla Van, Raum, RAV4, High Ace, Town Ace, Light Ace, Coaster HV, RAV4 EV etc.)

Please also refer to press release from the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games:

TOYOTA Becomes Presenting Partner of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay

DOWNLOADS (IMAGES)

Toyota vehicles from Tokyo 1964 Olympic Torch Relay
Kawai EVP at Nagano 1998 Olympic Torch Relay 20 years ago
Crown Eight
Land Cruiser 50
First Generation Prius
(Photo credit to Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology)
Crown Eight from Tokyo 1964 Olympic Torch Relay
Harrier and 1^st Generation Prius from Nagano 1998 Olympic Torch Relay