x

Olympics: With handclaps, help from Backstreet Boys, Tokyo mascots jet off to Europe

Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic Games mascots headed out from the capital’s Haneda airport on Wednesday for a promotional tour of Europe, bemusing travelers with a ceremony featuring a clapping routine and a video message from veteran pop act the Backstreet Boys.

Known as Miraitowa and Someity, the pair will touch down in six European cities on their ‘Make the Beat’ tour, named after the handclap routine they performed in Haneda’s departure lounge alongside Japanese Olympic volleyball star Megumi Kurihara.

The cartoon-style mascots, described in official Tokyo 2020 biographies as having superpowers and an ability to teleport between the digital world and reality, will visit six European cities – Barcelona, Paris, Bonn, Athens, London and Lausanne – between Wednesday and the end of April.

During the tour, organisers said blue-checkered Miraitowa and Someity, whose pink design was inspired by cherry blossoms, will look to “raise excitement and enthusiasm for the Games”, which begin on July 24.

As pre-departure diners in the airport’s restaurants watched on open-mouthed, the pair was joined on a makeshift stage by model and Miss Japan 2019 winner Honoka Tsuchiya.

In spite of attempting to teach the handclap routine to unsuspecting passengers at the departure lounge, some were more intent on making their flights than learning how to ‘Make the Beat’.

In the video message, Backstreet Boys singer Howie Dorough, 46, joined in the choreographed encouragement wearing a traditional Japanese ‘happi’ coat bearing colorful Tokyo 2020 designs.

Since its early boy band successes, the group has toured Japan regularly and its hits are popular among English-language selections at karaoke parlors.

“For all you fans out there, who want to stay excited, just give into the moment, feel the passion in your heart and keep the Backstreet pride alive,” said Dorough.

Preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games are now in the finishing straight, with the final test events under way and the Olympic flame due to arrive in Japan on March 20. (Reuters/NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Trump Bans Citizens of 12 Countries from Entering U.S. Over Security, Immigration Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a sweeping travel...

FG trains over 175 youths from the North Central region of Nigeria 

By Israel Adamu, Jos  The Federal government through the office...

Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lauds Diri’s Leadership on 66th Birthday

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa   Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo,...

Wike To Deliver OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on...

Breaking: Tinubu To Commence 10 Projects Commissions In Abuja, Satellite Towns

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to...

NCPC Re-strategize For 2025 Pilgrimage, Holds Staff Retreat

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju In a bid to restrategize to ensure...

Regina Daniels Accuses Angela Okorie of Pursuing Her Husband Amid Ongoing Feud

Nollywood star Regina Daniels has fired back at fellow...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img