Tokyo 2020 will use flowers from the from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures ©Getty Images

Flowers from the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures will be used throughout the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to promote the recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Tokyo 2020 has chosen to award medal winners with a bouquet of flowers from these prefectures instead of other gifts.

Flowers will also be used to decorate the sports venues.

Yoshiteru Kudo, chairman of JA Shin-Iwate Hachimantai Flowers, said: "We often see flowers in a sporting context which is very pleasing.

"When the disaster struck, we received so much support from around the world, so at these Olympic Games we want to support you with our flowers."

Kudo said his group had worked particularly closely with the sport of swimming.

Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, lays a flower bouquet for victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami ©Getty Images
Seiko Hashimoto, President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, lays a flower bouquet for victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami ©Getty Images

"It will make me very happy to see that our flowers have finally reached an Olympic venue."

The victory bouquets are traditionally presented at medal ceremonies by representatives of the International Federations.

Organisers say these will feature "bright colours to encapsulate the medallists' glorious moment of victory with people around the world."

The Olympic mascot Miraitowa will be incorporated into the design and the flowers comprise Eustomas and Solomon’s seals from Fukushima, sunflowers from Miyagi, gentians from Iwate, and aspidistras from Tokyo.

Miyagi’s Agriculture said: "All the producers are carefully cultivating these flowers so they can be shipped to Tokyo in an orderly fashion.

"We are looking forward to seeing the athletes rejoice with them at the medal ceremonies."

5,000 bouquets will be created for the Olympic and Paralympic Games by the Nippon Flower Council.