takakura's plan was to unveil the collection in time for the tokyo olympics' opening ceremony, to honorming to japan. >> translator: i want athletes from all around the world to know that we've thought about each and every country, and that there are people here welcoming and encouraging them with all their heart. >> the project brought together more than 1,000 artisans, including the nation's top masters and craftspeople from the most prestigious manufacturers. up-and-coming contemporary artist received a special assignment. the kimono for the refugee olympic team. she says she wanted to celebrate the courage it takes to overcome great obstacles and make it onto the world stage. >> translator: i created this design to send out a call for a world where people can live more equally and move toward enlightenment. >> as the artworks neared completion, the project suffered an unexpected double blow. the pandemic and the postpo postponement of the tokyo olympics. all the special events had to be canceled. takakura and his team bounced back and decided to reach out to the athletes by unveilin

tackck c takakura a and his team bounced and back.looking forward to attending event in japan was this greek cyclist. the pandemic forced the suspension of his training for more than six weeks, and now he faces uncertain prospect o of t olympics taking place as scheduled next year. >> translator: the most poenment of the olympic social cucurits challenge. we need to practice rigorously the next year sacrificing a lot to achieve our goals. the road to japan will be a hard one. >> reporter: here's the kimono representing greece. it features the parthenon and doves, the symbol of peace, a design celebrating the birth place of ththe olympics. people from around the world atattended the online ceremony. he sent to the organizers a special message of gratitude. >> translator: it is truly an honor for us to study the culture and manage to predict it so beautifully in this craft. i'm very much looking forward to seeing the kimono in person during the tokyo olympics next year. >> reporter: another athlete looking forward to the event was this