Organisers have reaffirmed their commitment to an athlete-centered Games after hearing the input of a group of experts, including Claudia Bokel, the German chair of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission.

Also in attendance were Jonathan Edwards, Britain's Olympic triple jump gold medallist at Sydney 2000, the chairman of London 2012's Athletes' Commission, and hammer thrower Koji Murofushi.

Japan's Murofushi, the Olympic champion at Athens 2004, is seeking election to the IOC Athletes' Commission at the third attempt but is a member of the equivalent body at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

He was elected to the IOC Commission at London 2012 but was later disqualified for breaching strict rules governing campaigning during the election.

The 41-year-old is now sports director of Tokyo 2020.

Tokyo 2020 created its own Athletes’ Commission in September 2014 featuring 20 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and is chaired by Sydney 2000 women's marathon champion Naoko Takahashi.

As with other Athletes' Commissions, the group works to ensure that the voice of the competitors is heard and taken into account at the decision-making level. 

"Tokyo 2020 is more committed than ever to successfully engaging all athletes at the 2020 Games after the Organising Committee received extremely valuable advice from experts of the Olympic Movement," said a statement.

"The athletes’ experience is the key to the success of the Games."

The statement added: "It takes perfect stages and conditions to enable all athletes to perform to the absolute peak of their abilities and strive to achieve a personal best.

"That’s why Tokyo 2020 has always pledged to organise ‘Athletes-first’ Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

"The Athletes’ Commission is an essential component of the Organising Committee, helping organisers to understand and identify the exact needs of the athletes and to plan everything accordingly, from the moment they land in the Host City to the moment they leave with unforgettable memories."

Edwards revealed his work in London went as far as tasting the food and testing the mattresses in the Olympic Village.

"It's very clear that you have an active and engaged Athletes' Commission here at Tokyo 2020,” he said.

“It's very important that you harness this, that you utilise this to establish a great Games for Tokyo 2020, as well as a great legacy."