2019 Rugby World Cup and 1 year to go Tokyo 2020 Reception
2019/9/18
On the 30th of August, Ambassador Takahashi hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the lead-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and mark one year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The event welcomed more than 70 guests including Mr. John Coates AC, President of the Australian Olympic Committee and Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020; Ms. Raelene Castle ONZM, Chief Executive of Rugby Australia; Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck, Minister for Youth and Sport; 1964 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, Mr. Robert Windle; the Hon. Scott Bucholtz, MP and member of the Australian Parliamentary Rugby Team and Ms. Kate McLoughlin, Chef de Mission of the Australian Paralympic Team for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Also in attendance were former Olympians and Paralympians, elite athletes, representatives from sporting organisations as well as Japanese and Australian media.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Takahashi spoke highly of the long sporting relationship between Japan and Australia – whereby Australia has been both a model as well as a friendly rival for Japan. Ambassador Takahashi also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further strengthening the relationship between Japan and Australia through these upcoming sports events.
Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro provided a special video message for the occasion, expressing his gratitude to both John Coates for invaluable advice and assistance in preparing to host the Tokyo 2020 Games as well as to Rugby Australia for the support he received as former honorary Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union, when bidding to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In the latter part of the evening, Ambassador Takahashi sat down for a conversation with Tokyo 1964 Olympic gold medallist Robert Windle. The Australian swimming legend recalled the 1964 games fondly. He also offered friendly advice to athletes heading the Tokyo 2020 games, reminding them that whilst winning competitions is important, they also have an exciting opportunity to engage with Japanese culture and local people, as proud ambassadors of Australia.
Thanks to the generous co-operation from various organisations, many special items were displayed on the night including an original Olympic torch from the Melbourne 1956 Games and a torch and medals from the Sydney 2000 Games. Local sake from the town of Nagaoka, who will become host-town for the Australian Olympic swimming team, was also on offer.
2019 RWC - Follow the Wallabies in Japan!!
Tokyo 2020 Host towns for Australian team
The event welcomed more than 70 guests including Mr. John Coates AC, President of the Australian Olympic Committee and Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020; Ms. Raelene Castle ONZM, Chief Executive of Rugby Australia; Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck, Minister for Youth and Sport; 1964 Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, Mr. Robert Windle; the Hon. Scott Bucholtz, MP and member of the Australian Parliamentary Rugby Team and Ms. Kate McLoughlin, Chef de Mission of the Australian Paralympic Team for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Also in attendance were former Olympians and Paralympians, elite athletes, representatives from sporting organisations as well as Japanese and Australian media.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Takahashi spoke highly of the long sporting relationship between Japan and Australia – whereby Australia has been both a model as well as a friendly rival for Japan. Ambassador Takahashi also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further strengthening the relationship between Japan and Australia through these upcoming sports events.
Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshiro provided a special video message for the occasion, expressing his gratitude to both John Coates for invaluable advice and assistance in preparing to host the Tokyo 2020 Games as well as to Rugby Australia for the support he received as former honorary Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union, when bidding to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In the latter part of the evening, Ambassador Takahashi sat down for a conversation with Tokyo 1964 Olympic gold medallist Robert Windle. The Australian swimming legend recalled the 1964 games fondly. He also offered friendly advice to athletes heading the Tokyo 2020 games, reminding them that whilst winning competitions is important, they also have an exciting opportunity to engage with Japanese culture and local people, as proud ambassadors of Australia.
Thanks to the generous co-operation from various organisations, many special items were displayed on the night including an original Olympic torch from the Melbourne 1956 Games and a torch and medals from the Sydney 2000 Games. Local sake from the town of Nagaoka, who will become host-town for the Australian Olympic swimming team, was also on offer.
 Opening remarks by Ambassador Takahashi |
 Speech by Mr John Coates AC |
 Toast by Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck |
 Special guests with Ambassador Takahashi |
 Australian rugby associates with the Ambassador |
 Ambassador in conversation with 1964 Olympic gold medalist Robert (Bob) Windle |
 Display of items from the Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000) Olympic Games |
 Displays about the host-towns for Australian teams for Tokyo 2020 |
2019 RWC - Follow the Wallabies in Japan!!
Tokyo 2020 Host towns for Australian team