Three-time Olympian and Two-time Danish Champion Cyclist Supports Tokyo 2016
Nicki Sørensen to ride for Tokyo 2016 before crucial IOC Host City selection
Copenhagen, Denmark, 30 September 2009 – Three-time Olympian, two-time Danish national road cycling champion and current member of Team Saxo Bank, Nicki Sørensen, today announced he will be riding in support of Tokyo's Bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games at a special green cycling event in Copenhagen on 1 October on the eve the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) 2016 Host City selection.
Sørensen will ride alongside seven-time Olympian and Japanese Member of Parliament, Seiko Hashimoto, and the two cyclists who shot to fame as the first Japanese to complete Le Tour de France earlier this year, Yukiya Arashiro and Fumiyuki Beppu.
Nicki Sørensen said:
"I'm delighted to join Tokyo 2016’s strong team of athletes in Copenhagen this week because I support the Bid's promise to place the needs of athletes at the centre of the Games and organize the greenest Olympics ever, right in the heart of Japan’s capital.
"I'm competing in Japan in October, where I know athletes are always met by incredibly hospitable and passionate fans, who turn out in big numbers to support and create an unforgettable experience.
"I'm sure the people of Copenhagen will repay that support by welcoming the Japanese delegation with open arms, so that together we can celebrate both our nations’ long-standing friendship and shared commitment to the environment."
Tokyo 2016 Chair and CEO, Dr. Ichiro Kono, said:
"Nicki Sørensen’s heroic performances have been a credit to Denmark, and we sincerely appreciate his enthusiastic support for our Bid. We're proud that he shares Tokyo 2016's vision to host the greenest and most athlete-friendly Games ever, helping athletes to achieve their best ever performances to inspire world youth to turn to sport.
"It is especially symbolic for Tokyo 2016 to be in Copenhagen ahead of December's COP15 meeting on climate change that will take place in the Danish capital. Not only does Japan share Denmark's commitment towards the environment, but Tokyo promises to host a Carbon-Minus Games that will act as a showcase of best practice to the rest of the world.
"We need a greener, brighter future and the Olympic Games is the beacon of hope that can make a huge difference to us all."
In association with COP15 – the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Danish and Japanese cyclists gathered in May for a series of cycling events to spread the conference’s message of environmental responsibility through sustainable activities.
COP15 Cycling Tour events were hosted across Japan and Denmark, supported by Tokyo 2016, which plans to host the first carbon-minus Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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For more information, please contact:
Masa Takaya (Mr), International Communications Manager, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp
Copenhagen, Denmark, 30 September 2009 – Three-time Olympian, two-time Danish national road cycling champion and current member of Team Saxo Bank, Nicki Sørensen, today announced he will be riding in support of Tokyo's Bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games at a special green cycling event in Copenhagen on 1 October on the eve the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) 2016 Host City selection.
Sørensen will ride alongside seven-time Olympian and Japanese Member of Parliament, Seiko Hashimoto, and the two cyclists who shot to fame as the first Japanese to complete Le Tour de France earlier this year, Yukiya Arashiro and Fumiyuki Beppu.
Nicki Sørensen said:
"I'm delighted to join Tokyo 2016’s strong team of athletes in Copenhagen this week because I support the Bid's promise to place the needs of athletes at the centre of the Games and organize the greenest Olympics ever, right in the heart of Japan’s capital.
"I'm competing in Japan in October, where I know athletes are always met by incredibly hospitable and passionate fans, who turn out in big numbers to support and create an unforgettable experience.
"I'm sure the people of Copenhagen will repay that support by welcoming the Japanese delegation with open arms, so that together we can celebrate both our nations’ long-standing friendship and shared commitment to the environment."
Tokyo 2016 Chair and CEO, Dr. Ichiro Kono, said:
"Nicki Sørensen’s heroic performances have been a credit to Denmark, and we sincerely appreciate his enthusiastic support for our Bid. We're proud that he shares Tokyo 2016's vision to host the greenest and most athlete-friendly Games ever, helping athletes to achieve their best ever performances to inspire world youth to turn to sport.
"It is especially symbolic for Tokyo 2016 to be in Copenhagen ahead of December's COP15 meeting on climate change that will take place in the Danish capital. Not only does Japan share Denmark's commitment towards the environment, but Tokyo promises to host a Carbon-Minus Games that will act as a showcase of best practice to the rest of the world.
"We need a greener, brighter future and the Olympic Games is the beacon of hope that can make a huge difference to us all."
In association with COP15 – the 15th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Danish and Japanese cyclists gathered in May for a series of cycling events to spread the conference’s message of environmental responsibility through sustainable activities.
COP15 Cycling Tour events were hosted across Japan and Denmark, supported by Tokyo 2016, which plans to host the first carbon-minus Olympic and Paralympic Games.
###
For more information, please contact:
Masa Takaya (Mr), International Communications Manager, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp