TOKYO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- As Japan marked 500 days to go ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Saturday, the organizing committee unveiled a set of official pictograms representing different Paralympic sports.
A total of 23 Paralympic pictogram designs, aimed at reflecting and promoting an inclusive society, were revealed at an event held in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Saturday.
The pictograms were created by a team led by graphic designer Masaaki Hiromura, who was also involved in the design of the Olympic pictograms.
The icons have been created with the aim of helping people overcome language barriers through the use of internationally recognizable images to depict individual sports, the organizers said.
This is the first time in Japan that Summer Paralympic sports were individually represented in the form of pictograms, which will be used on signage at competition venues and in other mediums, according to the organizers.
This is also the first time that badminton and taekwondo pictograms were used, as these two sports have been newly added to the Paralympic program for Tokyo 2020.
"Pictograms are something that the athletes feel connected to. I've realized how close we are to the games," Japanese para-triathlete Mami Tani said at the unveiling event.
"There are many athletes who use equipment (at the games). I would like people to know about the sports more through the pictograms," said Japan's three-time Paralympic shooter Aki Taguchi.
The organizers said they plan to create playing cards with the pictograms printed on them in order to teach elementary school students about the Paralympics.
The Tokyo Paralympic Games will be held from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6 in 2020 following the Olympic Games.
