Bridgestone at the 2024 Olympics
The Bridgestone Corporation will showcase a range of innovative products and services at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris to demonstrate its commitment to improving safety, inclusivity, and reducing environmental damage.
"The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a powerful platform that unites and inspires people around the world through vibrant emotions," said Laurent Dartoux, CEO and President of Bridgestone's EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region. "The goals of the Olympic and Paralympic movement are closely aligned with our vision to create a better world for future generations. By supporting the 2024 Olympics, we will share our values with our employees and customers."
As the official tire supplier for the Olympics, the company will equip the Olympic fleet, consisting of over 1,000 Toyota vehicles, with premium tires, including Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Alenza 001, which feature the ENLITEN technology package, allowing for optimized driving performance, improved durability, and/or environmental sustainability. "With ENLITEN, we continue to create premium tires that meet the changing needs of our customers and are optimized for the new mobility ecosystem, including electric vehicles," notes Bridgestone.
The company will also equip over 20 motorcycles used by support services during the competitions on the streets of Paris, including a hydrogen prototype from Kawasaki. During the Games, over 30 Speedy and First Stop service centers, owned by Bridgestone, will be responsible for maintaining the equipment.
In total, almost 3,000 vehicles will be involved in the Games, and Bridgestone will conduct driver training in an electronic format to improve road safety. Nearly 4,000 volunteer drivers will be offered the training, which will cover the importance of tires in ensuring safety and how to use them effectively (checking tread wear, monitoring pressure, etc.).
Bridgestone will equip not only the fully electrified Toyota fleet but also 500 hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirai vehicles and 250 zero-emission Accessible People Mover (APM) shuttles, which will transport staff, personnel, and spectators during the Games. The APMs were specifically designed for people with disabilities and are equipped with Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tires, which feature reduced rolling resistance, improving energy efficiency.
Bridgestone tires will also be installed on over 600 bicycles. The company is collaborating with Decathlon, a French sports equipment manufacturer and Olympic partner, and the bicycles will be available to athletes and volunteers for convenient transportation where cars are not necessary. After the competitions, Bridgestone and the City of Paris will donate around 500 bicycles to local community organizations.
At the Olympics, the company will showcase not only its tires but also its golf balls, which will be used by Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The balls will be used in men's and women's golf competitions, and Bridgestone emphasizes that its products are in high demand among professional golfers who have qualified for the Olympics. Around 3,500 balls will be provided for practice.
Other Bridgestone products will be used in various sports, including gloves, grips, and wheelchair tires, running prosthetics, and more. Bridgestone is also partnering with 40 Olympic, Paralympic, and aspiring athletes who are ambassadors of the tire brand.
"Bridgestone has been creating innovative solutions for nearly 100 years, and we continue to develop our legacy by using advanced technologies in the development of tires and other products," Dartoux emphasized. "We are proud to support athletes and organizers with our products and services."