Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Summer Games

This sense of solidarity was critical to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games following their historic one-year postponement, and this unity was embedded throughout the design process. 

Our work was much art as it was science in Tokyo, and relied on decades of experience working directly with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and cities around the world to author evolving design principles and tailor them to the unique requirements of what was essentially the largest international event following the global pandemic. Design and operations are always inseparable when working on an Olympic and Paralympic Games, but more than ever for Tokyo it needed to be seamless and almost “invisible” to provide the most effortless journey for athletes throughout the weeks of competition. 

Our team had worked with the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Organizing Committee Venues & Infrastructure department since 2014 to advise on the planning and design for all competition venues and several major non-competition venues, to be ready to host the Games of the XXXII Olympiad. Our specialized event planning ensured that each venue and its surrounding context complied with criteria mandated by the IOC and International Federations. 

Despite the many external challenges that faced the Tokyo 2020 Games, Japan showcased the evolution of the Olympic programme, introducing new sports and events that strengthened the timeless appeal of the Olympic Games for a new generation. Tokyo’s 339 events in 33 sports – the most in Olympic history – included the debut of sports such as skateboarding, BMX freestyle, sport climbing, surfing and karate.