Big In Japan... download free new book which honours our Tokyo heroes

The inspirational performances of Great Britain’s aquatic athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been immortalised in a new book produced by Swim England.

Big In Japan The Story of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games features all the reports from the Tokyo Aquatics Centre and the Odaiba Marine Park from the swimming, diving, artistic swimming and open water competitions.

The 176-page book is available as a free download by clicking here.

It recognises all Team GB And ParalympicsGB athletes who competed in Tokyo but predominantly focuses on Swim England members 

Included are the daily reports and reaction to all the medal successes which were published on the Swim England website throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games – plus inspirational articles from coaches, teachers and past Olympic heroes.

Delayed by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo 2020 proved to be the most successful Olympic Games for a British swimming team as they won eight medals – four of them gold.

Britain’s divers picked up three podium places, while it proved to be a lifelong dream achieved for artistic swimmers Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe plus open water competitors Alice Dearing and Hector Pardoe.

Truly inspirational

A further 26 medals were won during a thrilling Paralympics – including eight golds – during 10 days of competition which were full of excitement and emotion.

Kate Rudkin, Swim England head of communications and partnership activation, said: “Tokyo 2020 was an Olympic and Paralympic Games like no other due to the year-long delay and no fans being allowed to attend.

“However, it didn’t stop all of our 71 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from producing some wonderful performances.

“Big In Japan is a collection of all the articles that were published on the Swim England website throughout the course of both Games.

“We wanted to ensure it was easy for everyone to able to recollect an amazing few weeks in Japan and compiling all the reports into one book seemed the perfect way to honour their successes.

“They were all truly inspirational and we hope everyone enjoys looking back on the legacy they have achieved.”