2023.10.21 Students participated in an event “Bunkyo Sports Park”, held in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

On October 21, a sports event was held in Bunkyo-ku Sports Park, to carry on the legacy of Tokyo 2020 and to heighten the international momentum and public awareness for the upcoming Paris 2024. A group from the University of Tsukuba set up a booth for “Sport Communication in English” at the Bunkyo Sports Center with the help of Neo English (Company owner: Onishi, Yuji, a graduate of the University of Tsukuba).
“Sports Communication in English” was based on the Olympic value education program promoted by the International Olympic Committee. Under the guidance of international students from the University of Tsukuba, participants experienced the core values of the Olympic Movement, including “Excellence, Respect, Friendship,” through simple physical exercises and interaction on Olympic-related quizzes.

　

Participants include preschool children, elementary school pupils, junior high school students, the elderly, wheelchair users, and foreigners (China, France, etc.).

　

“Sports Communication in English” prepared the wanage (ringtoss) activity for wheelchair users. Participants also took part in the Olympic Games Quiz.

The activity required participants to stack cones of different colors in a specified order without using their hands but only their feet. English was the main language used throughout the activity.

　

In addition to individuals, many of them chose to participate in activities in teams with TIAS international students, their parents, and friends, as well as with other participants. It is important to emphasize that the participation of teams of different participants demonstrated the significance of cooperation in activities.

　

To increase the public’s awareness of and interest in the Olympic Games, Olympic-related quizzes were organized as part of “Sports Communication in English.”
Quiz questions such as “Where will the 2024 Olympic Games be held?”, “What are the new sports for the Paris 2024?”, “What are the colors and meanings of the Olympic symbols?” raised the participants’ awareness of the Olympic Games and helped them to learn Olympic and sports terminology.

Number of participants：481 (by counter)
A total of 51 people were in the questionnaire. Among them, participants in the third grade of elementary school and above filled out the questionnaire individually, while most of the participants in the lower grades below the third grade completed the questionnaire with their parents. The questionnaire consisted of questions on “knowledge and concerns related to the Olympic Games”, “Understanding and concern for different cultures”, and “Changes in awareness regarding cooperation and respect for others.” The high percentage of positive responses to the questionnaire.