Bridgestone limbering up for Tokyo 2020

The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 belatedly begin this week, and as is well known, much will be different this time round. Worldwide partner Bridgestone Corporation has outlined the ways its contributions will help support safety and efficiency for athletes and operations.

As the only Worldwide Partner with global headquarters in the host city, Bridgestone will showcase its mission of “serving society with superior quality” by providing products and services that will “help enable safe, smooth and sustainable movement around Tokyo.” Additionally, the company continues to support and celebrate a diverse roster of more than 70 global athletes who serve as Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors.

Celebration of the human spirit

“While the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be different than expected, Bridgestone remains focused on doing its part to provide and promote a safe and sustainable environment where the world’s greatest athletes can chase their dreams in alignment with the Olympic Charter’s vision to promote a peaceful society,” said Shu Ishibashi, chief executive officer of Bridgestone Corporation. “As a proud Japanese company with a clear vision to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for society, we hope to help Tokyo 2020 serve as a celebration of the human spirit during these unique and challenging times.”

Keeping Olympic and Paralympic fleets moving

As the official tyre of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Bridgestone will help keep the official IOC and IPC fleets in motion by providing high-performing tyres and tyre services for approximately 3,000 vehicles, including cars, competition support vehicles, unique concept vehicles that will help move staff, and more. “Through a variety of solutions-based tyre technologies and innovations, Bridgestone will support safe and efficient transportation at Tokyo 2020,” comments the tyre maker.

The company’s commitment will provide:

Specially designed tyres for autonomous and battery electric Toyota e-Palette vehicles that will shuttle athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Villages.

Air-free tyres for Toyota Walking Area BEVs (battery electric vehicles) that will be used at the main press centre and tennis venues. These non-pneumatic tyres feature a structure of spokes that eliminates the risk of a flat and the need to be inflated with air. Made with resin, these tyres also have greater recycling potential.

Specially-designed tyres that will be used on Toyota Mirai FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) at Tokyo 2020, which will be the lead cars in the marathon events. This tyre’s low rolling resistance and reduced noise level directly contribute to improved cruising range and ride comfort for electrified vehicles.

Ecopia with ologic tyres for Toyota LQ battery electric vehicles, which will also be used as lead cars in Tokyo 2020 marathon events. This tyre improves both rolling and air resistance through a profile that is taller and narrower than conventional designs, helping make battery electric vehicles more energy efficient.

Bridgestone Ecopia tyres for Toyota Accessible People Mover (APM) vehicles in the Olympic and Paralympic venues and athlete Villages.

Tyre inspections & servicing

As the only part of a vehicle that touches the road, tyres are a critical component in driving safety. In addition to having the right tyres for the right vehicle and conditions, proper tire maintenance also greatly impacts performance. That is why in addition to supplying tyres, Bridgestone has also arranged for its network of automotive service centres in Japan to provide regular tyre inspections and any necessary tyre servicing for the Olympic and Paralympic fleets throughout Tokyo 2020.

Bicycles & earthquake protection

As a manufacturer with more than half a century’s experience producing high-performing competitive cycles, Bridgestone has also developed new track bicycles that will be used in cycling events by Team Japan at Tokyo 2020. Bridgestone has been collaborating with coaches and athletes to design and produce the equipment that will be used by Team Japan competitors in the keirin, sprint, omnium, and madison events at Tokyo 2020. As part of this process, analytic technology from Bridgestone Corporation has been incorporated into the design process and applied to Bridgestone Cycle’s bicycle development technology.

Bridgestone has developed new track bicycles that will be used in cycling events by Team Japan (Photo: Bridgestone)

As the official bicycle of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Bridgestone will also supply more than 800 non-motorised bicycles to offer convenient and reliable mobility for Tokyo 2020 staff, volunteers, and athletes.

Bridgestone has also supplied its seismic isolation bearings for two newly constructed permanent venues that will host competition during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 – the Tokyo Aquatics Centre and Ariake Arena. These flexible structural supports isolate a structure from the ground to help reduce the spread of seismic shock and decrease the chance of damage in the event of an earthquake.

In addition to its seismic isolation technology, Bridgestone is supporting safety and comfort in other Tokyo 2020 buildings through the light and highly-durable Polybutene Piping System currently installed in more than a dozen of Tokyo 2020’s temporary venues and facilities.