Supporting Team Visa Athletes on the New Road to Tokyo 2020

The decision to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to 2021 was a welcome decision from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japan’s Prime Minister Abe. It reflects the Olympic values and demonstrates a commitment to prioritise the most important thing; the health and well-being of all those involved in the Games.

Visa’s relationship and heritage with the Olympic Movement means we understand the tremendous spirit, sacrifice and determination it takes for every athlete and the network that supports them, to get to The Olympic Games. As a result, Visa is honouring the commitment we made to our roster of over 90 Team Visa athletes, offering them the opportunity to extend their relationship with us into 2021.

I am particularly proud that we are able to show our continued support to Irish Olympic medallists Paul and Gary O’Donovan who represent Team Visa in Ireland. Team Visa athletes are selected based on athletic achievements, character and personal journey, and Paul and Gary O’Donovan join the most diverse programme of athletes in Team Visa history, representing 51 countries, with athletes across over 30 sporting disciplines.

With less than a year to go, we are now looking ahead to Tokyo 2020 in 2021. Japan, the third largest economy in the world, has an amazing culture that has a foot in the past and one in the future. Despite a postponement, Visa is committed to ensuring the best onsite digital payment experience for athletes, fans and citizens in support of the Japanese Government’s “Cashless Japan” initiative to double the total of payments made digitally to 40 percent by 2025.

With all eyes on the athletes, Tokyo 2020 is a key milestone in Visa’s journey and commitment to supporting its Team Visa Olympic and Paralympic athletes and the host country as it steps onto the global stage. At what will probably be the most innovative Olympic and Paralympic Games yet, Visa is in a unique position to help the Olympic Games become a catalyst for delivering the best in digital payments to Japan and beyond.

Since 2000, we have supported and celebrated 500+ Olympic and Paralympic Games hopefuls through Team Visa and have provided tools and resources to succeed in sport and daily life. The recent postponement does not change this commitment. We look forward to the Olympic Games and are thrilled to have Paul and Gary O’Donovan as part of Team Visa.