Sport has a phenomenal power to transform lives; it transformed mine and can inspire and improve the lives of young people around the world. Laureus Sport for Good isn’t about creating the next elite athlete, but using sport to address social issues and help the next generation. I’m looking forward to getting involved with Laureus here in Japan and helping them in their mission to use the power of sport tackle violence, discrimination and disadvantage.
Trailblazing marathon runner Yuko Arimori’s big break came in 1990, when she made an impressive competitive marathon debut, finishing sixth in the Osaka Ladies’ marathon. Yuko’s stand-out performances came on the greatest stage of all, at the Olympic Games. She is a member of an illustrious group of double Olympic marathon medallists, winning silver at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games followed by bronze at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and capturing the hearts and minds of the Japanese public in the process.
Yuko has also been dedicated to using the power of sport to make a positive impact in society throughout her career. She is currently the President of the Special Olympics Nippon Tokyo, a Laureus programme partner in Japan.
