The Worldwide Olympic Partner is helping to keep the official Games fleets in motion by providing its high-performance tyres to more than 3,000 vehicles, including cars and buses, unique concept vehicles that will move athletes and officials, competition support vehicles, and more. Bridgestone is also offering its network of automotive service centres in Japan to provide regular tyre checks and any necessary tyre services.
“While the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be different than expected, Bridgestone remains focused on doing its part to provide and promote a safe and sustainable environment where the world’s greatest athletes can chase their dreams in alignment with the Olympic Charter’s vision to promote a peaceful society,” said Shu Ishibashi, Member of the Board, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation. “As a proud Japanese company with a clear vision to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for society, we hope to help Tokyo 2020 serve as a celebration of the human spirit during these unique and challenging times.”
Bridgestone’s solutions-based tyre technologies and innovations at Tokyo 2020 include specially-designed tyres for the autonomous and battery electric Toyota e-Palette vehicles that are shuttling athletes around in the Olympic Villages, and cutting-edge air-free tyres for Toyota Walking Area BEVs (battery electric vehicles) that are being used at the Main Press Centre and the tennis venue. These non-pneumatic tyres feature a unique structure of spokes that eliminates the risk of a flat and the need to be inflated with air. Made with resin, they also have greater recycling potential than conventional tyres.IOC / Matthew Jordan Smith
In addition, Bridgestone has supplied more than 800 non-motorised bicycles to provide convenient mobility for Tokyo 2020 officials, volunteers and athletes during the Games. The collection features three models specially designed and branded for Tokyo 2020 to support specific staff and volunteer roles, including security, small item delivery and movement of heavy equipment and luggage. The bikes are being used at several venues, including the Olympic Villages and the new Japan National Stadium, and the majority of the fleet will be donated after the Games to local community organisations and programmes.
As a global leader in sustainable solutions beyond tyres, Bridgestone is also supplying Tokyo 2020 with a variety of innovative, diversified products and services that are engineered to support earthquake readiness, building efficiency and more.
These include installing its cutting-edge seismic isolation bearings at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre and Ariake Arena. These flexible structural supports isolate a structure from the ground to help reduce the spread of seismic shock and decrease the chance of damage in the event of an earthquake.
Additionally, the company continues to support and celebrate a diverse roster of more than 70 global athletes who serve as Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors, and it has supplied specially-designed track bicycles for Team Japan athletes competing in the sprint events at Tokyo 2020.
Bridgestone, which joined The Olympic Partner (TOP) programme in 2014, is the only Worldwide Olympic Partner headquartered in Tokyo. The company was founded in Japan 90 years ago with the mission of “Serving Society with Superior Quality,” and this commitment continues into the future through its vision to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. Bridgestone strives to improve the way people move, live, work and play through all of its activities, and will demonstrate these efforts through its support for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
