International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Fukushima with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as preparations continue in the tsunami-hit city to host the baseball and softball events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Bach talked to young athletes, including a number of players from a badminton competition that was played that morning, to discuss their hopes for the future and how sport had been able to help them.
Later he met three young baseball players who all had been badly affected when the tsunami hit in March 2011. More than 15,000 people were killed and 500,000 were displaced from their homes.
“Sport and baseball have given hope to you and your families. And sport has helped you to overcome many challenges as well as giving you the opportunities to meet teammates and friends. In the end, this is what sport is all about,” said Bach.
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