We are pleased to announce that the Ibaraki Prefectural Kashima Soccer Stadium has been officially approved as a venue for the Tokyo Olympic football competition under the name "Ibaraki Kashima Stadium" by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board at its meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 10.
■Comment from President and Representative Director, Hiroshi Shono
"We are greatly honored that Ibaraki Kashima Stadium has been officially selected as a venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This is wonderful news that offers the club an opportunity to contribute to the revitalization and internationalization of its hometown. Kashima Antlers has been designated as the facility manager of the stadium for five years from 2006 and for ten years from 2011. As the designated facility manager, we intend to be fully prepared for the Tokyo Olympics. Furthermore, the stadium suffered extensive damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, and we feel a great sense of significance and responsibility in hosting the Olympics at a facility that has recovered. We hope that the stadium's functions will be further enhanced and the surrounding environment improved to ensure the successful conclusion of the Games."