Students from all over the world presented their ideas for the future sports scene such as "E-Bike that facilitates cross-cultural communication," "a headset that visualizes information the wearer wants to hear," "an application that translates movements and decisions of referees," and "a park to experience athletes' movements"!
Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) has solicited "ideas that break down barriers in sports and technology" from students around the world at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, "SPORTS CHANGE MAKERS Final Presentation" was held on Monday, August 23 (JST). There is the archived live streaming video on the SPORTS CHANGE MAKERS special site. Please have a look at.
- https://www.panasonic.com/sportschangemakers/
"SPORTS CHANGE MAKERS" special site
Under the theme of "Going Beyond Barriers," qualifying rounds were held for students in four cities (Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Paris, France; and Los Angeles, USA) that are scheduled to host future Olympic and Paralympic Games. After a rigorous selection process, representative teams (one from each region) were selected in January 2020.
In the Final Presentation, each team presented their ideas that they had been working on for about one and half year to the Olympic and Paralympic organisations (IOC, IPC, Paris 2024 Organising Committee that will host next summer edition of the Olympic Games after Tokyo) and celebrities from the world who participated as advisors. Prototype demonstrations co-created by Panasonic and its partner companies with students for each idea were displayed on both the real venue and the virtual venue, and the attendees were able to experience the ideas in action. Through this project, Panasonic supports the dreams of students who aim to have their ideas adopted in the future sports scene.
At the event, Timo Lumme, Managing Director, Television & Marketing Services, The International Olympic Committee commented, "The modern Olympics is a fusion of sports, culture and art. Students' ideas are perfect blend of these elements, and I believe that they will naturally lead to the younger generation being exposed to sports." Duane Kale, Vice President, The International Paralympic Committee described, "The Olympic and Paralympic Games are two of the largest events in the world, gathering so many people, cultures, and countries. What you designed are incredible ideas as they are very important to have inclusive solutions to overcome disabilities in society and culture."
Yoky Matsuoka, Executive Managing Officer, Panasonic was impressed by participants' motivation and purpose of ideas' goals. She mentioned "Really happy to hear what you try to support people with disability and focus on them by yourself." At the end, Yoshihiro Morii, Executive Officer, Panasonic summarized, "The Olympic charter expresses contribution to global peace by sports. Panasonic's philosophy is how to contribute to make ideal society and world. The Olympic charter is very sympathized with our philosophy. To make ideal world, correct understanding of the Olympics and Paralympics and expansion of sports participants are necessary. All ideas were stimulating ones with many suggestions." He also expressed gratitude to all of those who joined the event and embodied "Going Beyond Barriers" concept as SPORTS CHANGE MAKERS.
Panasonic believes that the realization of a "better world" and "inclusive society" that the Olympic and Paralympic Games aim to achieve through sports is in line with Panasonic's philosophy. Panasonic has been a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games since 1987 and the Paralympic Games since 2014 as the official AV category partner. To date, we have supported the Olympic and Paralympic Games under the slogan "Sharing the Passion." The passion of the athletes and the people who support the games in pursuit of their dreams conveys the excellence of sports, and is spread and shared around the world to give new inspiration and energy. We will continue to share our passion with people around the world, while staying close to people's lives and society through innovation and solving social issues.
*Should any of these projects be implemented and involve products/services outside Panasonic product category, collaboration with other TOPs/OCOGs/NOCs partners is required depending on their respective product categories
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