(ATR) Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission leaders will experience the recovery efforts of Fukushima prefecture when they sit down for dinner.
Delicacies from Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures will be showcased at the official delegate dinner on day two of the IOC inspection visit next week in Tokyo. These prefectures were devastated by an earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear power plant disaster in 2011.
"The Reconstruction Agency and Tokyo 2020 decided to highlight local specialties from [the three] prefectures, all of which were affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake," Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Masa Takaya tellsAround the Rings.
"Through this arrangement, we hope that as well as allowing members of the IOC team to enjoy local produce, we can support the regions’ recovery efforts and thereby help raise the spirits of people in the affected areas."
The catastrophic trio led to the banning of all food products from the region by 54 countries due to the possibility of radioactive contaminants. Six years later, the ban only remains in 29 countries according to the AFP.
The idea to serve products from the region to IOC members is the latest in a string of initiatives by Olympic organizers to showcase and support its recovery efforts.
Along with introducing local cuisine, Tokyo 2020 is utilizing Fukushima as a venue for parts of the baseball and softball Olympic tournaments, with organizers considering hosting the opening game in the region.
The fifth meeting of the Tokyo 2020 CoComm begins on Dec.11 and concludes Dec. 13. The dinner will take place on Dec.12.
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Written by Kevin Nutley
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