Japanese TV channel to broadcast series of documentaries in build-up to Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

WOWOW, Japan's leading premium pay television broadcaster, plans to broadcast a series of documentaries in the build-up to the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo ©WOWOW Prime

A series of documentaries are to be produced in the build-up to the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo by WOWOW, Japan's leading premium pay television broadcaster, it was announced today.

Filming is due to start next week at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.

The first episode is scheduled to be be broadcast on WOWOW Prime in 2016.

The documentaries will focus on the stories of a number of athletes and will follow their journey to Rio 2016 and Pyeongchang 2018, as well as Tokyo 2020.

"We are delighted to partner with WOWOW to produce this documentary series," said Sir Philip Craven, President of the IPC.

"Athletes are at the heart of the Paralympic Movement and it is their performances and stories that help act as a catalyst for greater inclusion in society.

"There are so many amazing stories to tell about Para-athletes and I look forward to watching the series between now and Tokyo 2020."

It is the latest deal arranged by the IPC to try to raise the profile of the Paralympic Movement in Japan.

Last month, public broadcaster NHK has been awarded exclusive rights in Japan for all Paralympic Games until 2024 in an agreement hailed as the biggest in the Movement's broadcasting history.

They also announced a five-year partnership with Dentsu to act as the IPC's exclusive marketing agency in Japan.

Image title — Raising the profile of the Paralympic Movement in Japan and Asia is a key objective of the International Paralympic Committee in the run-up to Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"The Games in Tokyo are a huge opportunity to grow awareness of the Paralympic Movement in Japan," said Sir Philip.

"This documentary series with WOWOW, together with our long-term partnership with NHK, will mean far more television coverage of para-sport in Japan than ever before."

In addition to this documentary series, WOWOW announced earlier this year that it would be broadcasting live coverage of all four Grand Slam Championships in wheelchair tennis - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

"We are extremely honoured to be collaborating with the IPC on the production of this exciting documentary series," said Nobuya Wazaki, chairman of WOWOW

"I strongly believe that 'diversity' is one of the most important keywords of our future.

"Through this series, we hope to further increase awareness of the IPC's aspiration to make for a more equitable and inclusive society for all through Para-sport."