The Barbados Olympic Association has welcomed Japanese ambassador Teruhiko Shinada to its headquarters in Wildey ©BOA

The Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) welcomed Japanese ambassador Teruhiko Shinada to its headquarters in Wildey as it bids to strengthen relations with the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) before Tokyo 2020.

Shinada met with several BOA representatives, including President Steve Stoute and secretary general Erskine Simmons.

Also present at the Olympic Centre were manager of Olympic operations Glyne Clarke and National Olympic Academy director Dave Farmer.

Discussions centered around how Japan can offer assistance to the Barbados delegation participating at the next edition of the Summer Olympic Games.

BOA representatives deliberated on various logistical issues, including local transport, accommodation and security in Japan.

They also put forward the idea of a pre-Games training camp to help Bajan athletes acclimatise in the weeks before competition begins, as well as the possibility of a coaching and/or athlete exchange programme, especially in the area of martial arts.

The Embassy of Japan in Barbados was officially opened on January 1, 2016, something which Stoute said the BOA is "very pleased" about "given the significance of Tokyo in relation to the upcoming Olympic Games".

"We look forward to working closely in partnership with the embassy, particularly during our Olympic planning processes, and for your assistance with some of the logistical aspects of our preparations," he added.

"The ambassador has been closely connected to the Japanese Olympic Movement, having being part of the delegation in Rio 2016.

"Therefore we are confident in his ability to assist Barbados to boost its chances of success in Tokyo."

National Olympic Academy director Dave Farmer, left, was among those who welcomed Teruhiko Shinada to the BOA's headquarters ©BOA
National Olympic Academy director Dave Farmer, left, was among those who welcomed Teruhiko Shinada to the BOA's headquarters ©BOA

Shinada was also given a tour of the Olympic Museum, where he took photos of Bajan Olympic memorabilia and asked questions about local athletes and historic Barbadian Olympic moments.

"I am very impressed with Barbados’ Olympic Centre facilities, especially the museum," he said.

"These facilities are better than many other Olympic Committee’s facilities in this regard."

As a gift of his appreciation, Shinada presented Stoute with Tokyo Olympic pins and a Japanese calendar, and also gave him a sneak peak of Tokyo 2020 brochures. 

In return, he was given a colourful Barbados tie and Barbados Olympic pins from Stoute and other BOA representatives in attendance.

The BOA regularly welcomes dignitaries from all over the world and in recent times has hosted the Brazilian and Chinese ambassadors, and the High Commissioners of Australia, Britain and Canada.