With fans banned from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is hoped the initiative will connect people to the Games and get them as close to the action as possible.

Experiences available cover 50 sports and 30 countries, with Tokyo 2020 athletes, sporting legends from the past and refugee team members all involved.

There is the chance to connect with stars including American surfer John John Florence, Tongan taekwondo player Pita Taufatoufa and British skateboarder Sky Brown.

Britain's triathlete Jonny Brownlee and American climber Alex Honnold are among other current athletes involved.

In the legends camp are American basketball greats Scottie Pippen and Larry Bird, track hero Michael Johnson and Canada's multiple Paralympic swimming champion Benoît Huot.

Away from the athletes, local people in Japan will offer experiences of the country's culture which people can enjoy without leaving their living rooms.

Proceeds from the experiences will provide athletes with another source of income as they look to supplement their careers.

"In light of the current circumstances, we wanted to create a unique alternative to bring together athletes and fans while keeping the same sense of discovery and exclusivity," said Kirsty Coventry, the outgoing IOC Athletes' Commission chair. 

"The Olympian and Paralympian Experiences platform is a fantastic opportunity for athletes to build a personal relationship with their fanbase and feel their support, while the platform will also bring the incredible Olympic spirit to people across the globe. 

"As part of our effort to empower athletes at all stages of their career, the positive response to the past year's activities has indeed confirmed that offering athletes the possibility to host such experiences presents them with new meaningful opportunities."

Airbnb was confirmed as a member of the IOC's flagship The Olympic Partner sponsorship programme in November 2019.

The deal is worth an estimated $500 million (£363 million/€423 million) in cash and value in kind and covers the next five Olympic Games, starting with Tokyo 2020 here.

As part of the deal, Airbnb also automatically became a worldwide partner of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"With spectatorship looking different this year, audiences are searching for new ways to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes during Tokyo 2020," said Catherine Powell, Airbnb's global head of hosting. 

"Airbnb is all about creating unique experiences that connect people, and Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences allow fans to feel closer to their heroes than ever before. 

"These interactive activities will provide an intimate window into the Games, all made possible by the 200-plus athletes joining our hosting community this summer."

IPC President Andrew Parsons added: "When the Games in Tokyo were postponed last year, Airbnb excelled themselves. 

"The creation of the Olympic and Paralympic Online Experiences platform not only allowed many Para-athletes to share their passions with people all over the world, but also provided them with a valuable income stream in the absence of competition. 

"Now, the most important Paralympic Games in history are upon us, and I'm thrilled to see so many Para-athletes on the Airbnb Experiences platform, not least the amazing athletes of our Refugee Paralympic Team. 

"I would encourage people to grab this rare opportunity to view the Games up close and personal with the stars of the show."