Tokyo

Ayaka Mukae is a 15-year-old fencer who left her home in Fukuoka in 2011, to attend the JOC Elite Academy. In August she won gold at the 2013 Asia Youth Games. She hopes to represent Japan at a home olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

What would it mean to you to compete in front of a home crowd at the 2020 Olympic games?

My only goal is to win a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics. I would be able to repay the people who have helped me by having them watch me compete. And with all the support from the Japanese people, I think I could really show my full potential.

Having seen Great Britain’s success in London, do you think a home crowd can make a difference to the amount of medals a country wins?

I think it does. The encouragement athletes receive in the environment they grew up in, from people who understand their point of view and the emotional support, can end up having an effect on the number of medals those athletes can win.

Have you seen the plans for Tokyo 2020 and are you excited about them?

I have. What interested me most about the plans is the compact venue placement. I that having to travel a short travel distance is an important factor for maintaining concentration. It will also be easier for the people who come to cheer us on to get to the venue, so they will be able to experience the atmosphere of the village and the event.

Why do you think Tokyo will make a good host city for the 2020 Olympics?

I think that it will make a good host because the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964 were a big success, and a lot of the competition venues are still here.

How excited is your generation about the possibility of Tokyo 2020?

It is a very important event held just once every four years, and there is also a strong possibility it will be held in Tokyo, so I think a lot of people are really hoping for it.

Who should host the 2020 Games?

I believe that they will be held in Tokyo.

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