Yohsuke Hatano’s
Road to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
The 2020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo 2020, will be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. In the run-up to the biggest sporting event, we catch up with our AISTS alumni playing a vital role at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This week’s AISTS Road to Tokyo 2020 series is Yohsuke Hatano who graduated from the MAS class of 2017. Before studying in Lausanne, Yohsuke had worked for around 5 years in the sport industry. We caught up with Yohsuke to talk about his journey at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Tell us about your current role in/for coming Tokyo 2020
I have been a part of the Beach Volleyball Event team since 2018. Since then, my main role was to closely communicate with the organizing committee of the Games to ensure all the preparation is on track based on the delivery plan. At the Games, I will be assigned as one of the International Technical Officials for the Beach Volleyball competition.
What is your typical day like?
My typical day starts with checking emails, going through the documents and requirements for our competitions which can be our World Tour events, can be Tokyo Olympic Games, but main tasks are the pre-coordination and alignment with the event / tournament organizer for close preparation and smooth operation at the international competitions.
What’s the best part of your job?
I played volleyball since the age of 10, up to high school in Japan. I truly enjoyed this team sport, and my passion for this sport has never faded since. The best part of my job is being a part of the organization and the international event organization, which support establishing the foundation with quality for the future development of the sports on a global scale.
Tell us your journey so far from Lausanne to Tokyo 2020 since your graduation
I graduated AISTS with the class of 2017. Thanks to AISTS and its Team Projects, I was assigned to a project with the FIVB, which enabled us to get the real-feel and understand the sport environment better. Since then, followed by the extensional opportunity with FIVB, I joined the Beach Volleyball Events department which is overseeing the technical and organizational aspects of the Beach Volleyball discipline including the time during the Tokyo 2020.
What one thing did you learn at the AISTS that you still keep in mind for your work today?
My takeaway from the AISTS was very simple. “Be flexible, be adaptable”. The sport industry is becoming more and more complex with the number of stakeholders involved, together with the fast-evolving technologies and communication platforms, there are many occasions you will be required to “be flexible” and “be adaptable” to find the best possible solution. Also, the environment within the International Federation is very dynamic, so that you will be working with people from all over the world including your colleagues. Spending the 15 months and collaborating with classmates at AISTS offered me the opportunities to understand the difference in culture, background, and work ethics.
Do you have any advice for those looking at the next step in their sport management career and wanting to be part of the Olympic Movement?
It is often said that people will look at others and say “he/she is lucky”. I personally believe you have to earn luck by taking action. Without the first step taken in 2016 applying to the AISTS, I would not be where I am today after 5 years. If you are looking into the opportunities in Olympic Movement, you shall consider your future with AISTS to open the door for you in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital.
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