Ahead of the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, which kick off on September 13th, the "TBS SPORTS FES" kicked off on the 12th at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Plaza in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Actor Yuji Oda, who serves as the special ambassador for the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, and actress Mio Imada, who serves as the TBS World Athletics Ambassador, appeared at the event venue, which was lined with booths and shops for popular TBS programs and sports competitions, to take part in the opening ceremony. Oda expressed his excitement about the upcoming World Athletics Championships, saying, "I couldn't sleep last night." The event runs until September 20th.
The opening ceremony began with TBS announcer Ai Eto as MC. Oda appeared on stage and said with a smile, "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I realized I only had about two hours of sleep. This is the first time I've ever felt this way, and it's probably because I'm doing it in Tokyo."
Imada also said, "I also went to the National Stadium, and the athletes were training there, and I couldn't help but feel excited." He continued, "And I'll be able to deliver the performance next to Oda-san," and a shout of "We're jealous!" rang out from the audience, and Imada couldn't help but smile.
When asked about the Japanese athlete he is looking forward to, Oda chose javelin thrower Shinka Kitaguchi. When Eto commented, "She's someone whose natural appearance and comments (outside of competition) are adorable," Oda responded, "I'm happy that someone like her has become a gold medalist, and I can be proud of her on the world stage," and gave her the thumbs up, saying that despite her injury, she will do well in the actual competition.
Imada raised her hand to runner-up Kubo Senrin in the women's 800 meters. Oda said, "The 800 meters is tough, but we want to help her get to the finals with your cheers. Everyone, please cheer us on and give us all the power."
The World Athletics Championships will be held at the National Stadium in Tokyo for nine days from September 13th to 21st, and will be broadcast live on terrestrial television by the TBS network.
