ALSOK, who are the countries' largest security services group, already have strong involvement in Olympic sport as they sponsor Japanese wrestling star Saori Yoshida, who has won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the women's freestyle 55 kg category at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Yoshida, who has also won an astonishing 12 consecutive world titles, took the opportunity of the ALSOK sponsorship announcement to back the Tokyo 2020 bid.

"I participated in three Olympic Games in Athens, Beijing and London and know first-hand that the Olympic Games is a magnificent celebration," said Yoshida.

"By hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, we will be able to inspire dreams, hopes, goals and positive change for our youth. I am fully behind Tokyo 2020."


Another triple Olympic wrestling champion sponsored by ALSOK Kaori Icho, who won golds for Japan at Athens, Beijing and London in the women's 63 kg category, has also backed the 2020 bid.

"At the Athens, Beijing, and London Games, my country's support back home gave me energy to win gold medals," she said.

"The Japanese athletes will be able to perform at their best level in front of our people, should Tokyo host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020 President Tsunekazu Takeda believes that the latest sponsor helps strengthen the cities' bid for the Olympics and Paralympics and they battle against Istanbul in Turkey and Madrid in Spain for the right to stage the Games.

"I am pleased to introduce ALSOK, Japan's leading security company, for agreeing to help promote Tokyo 2020's campaign," said Takeda, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

"ALSOK's dedication to sport is a testament of their long and rich history in supporting athletes and also the common attribute among all our bid partners."

Tokyo 2020 join a portfolio of bid partners that already features ASICS Corporation, DESCENTE LTD, JTB Corp, Kinki Nippon Tourist, Mizuno Corporation, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.

ALSOK will now play an active role in Tokyo 2020's campaign over the next 10 months before IOC hold their final vote for the host of the 2020 Games at their 125th Session on September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]