Japanese and Slovakia officials gather to sign the partnership agreement ©JOC

A partnership agreement has been signed between National Olympic Committees from Japan and Slovakia in order to "exchange information and good practices".

Those present for an official signing ceremony in Tokyo included Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Tsunekazu Takeda and Slovak Olympic Committee counterpart Anton Siekel.

Others in attendance included the Slovakia Ambassador to Japan, Michal Kottman and Takuya Haneda, an Olympic medallist in slalom canoeing at Rio 2016.

Haneda secured a bronze medal in the C1 men's final in which Slovakia's Matej Beňuš took silver.

He has spent the last 10 years training in Slovakia.

Olympic slalom canoeing medallist Takuya Haneda hopes to act as a sporting link between Japan and Slovakia ©Getty Images
Olympic slalom canoeing medallist Takuya Haneda hopes to act as a sporting link between Japan and Slovakia ©Getty Images

Both NOCs have vowed to "actively support officials, staff, its own athletes and coaches to have exchange programmes and opportunities".

Both parties will also "exchange marketing knowledge and information" as well as "sharing the information of the Olympic Movement".

A JOC statement added: "To achieve these goals, both parties will regularly exchange information and good practices.

"Mr Takuya Haneda, bronze medallist in canoe slalom at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, gave us a speech at the ceremony about his training in Slovak Republic for more than 10 years. 

"He has expressed that he will become the bridge between Japan and Slovak Republic for further sport development as well as promoting the Olympic Movement in both countries."

The JOC has already signed similar agreements with 40 NOCs.