The partnership was announced on the ninth anniversary of the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and aims to inspire the British public to come together and make a positive difference during Olympic year, by supporting people in crisis in the United Kingdom and overseas.

On March 11 2011 an earthquake which measured 9.0 in magnitude on the Richter scale, shook the north-east coast of Japan, resulting in a tsunami that left more than 16,000 people dead.  

The earthquake and tsunami also triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which in addition to the earthquake and tsunami, led to 47,000 people being forced to leave their homes.

One of the key hopes ahead of this summer's Games in Tokyo, is that the event will send a message a recovery from Japan, and this in turn has inspired the partnership between the British Red Cross and Team GB who are hoping to promote the power of connecting communities in preparing and recovering from crises.

The Olympic Torch is scheduled to start its journey in Japan from the affected region of Fukushima, where Team GB athletes Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Andrew Pozzi and Adam Gemili recently visited to view the work of the Red Cross.

Speaking about the visit, current heptathlon world champion and Team GB athlete Johnson-Thompson said: “When I stood at the former evacuation zone in Fukushima and looked out to see huge areas that are still no-go zones because of the radioactive contamination following the tsunami and nuclear disaster, it really showed the vast scale of the disaster and how much it took its toll on Japan and what many of the people have been through.

 “Some of the people who were directly affected spoke with me and shared some stories. Many of them were children who told me how they had lost their homes, everything they owned, their normal way of life - it was heart-breaking. 

"But to see how the community has come together with the help of the Red Cross shows the power of the human spirit. It really is amazing.

 “They said the Red Cross was at the scene as soon as the disaster struck and are still there now, helping people to rebuild their lives so many years later and making a real difference. It was an honour to visit such inspirational children who have such a passion for life and see what a difference the Red Cross makes."

The announcement of the partnership also comes ahead of a planned visit by representatives of Team GB – including CEO Andy Anson – to Motomiya City, in the Fukushima prefecture,which is due to take place next week. 

Since 2017 Team GB has supported Motomiya City, including by developing a school exchange programme for local pupils affected by the 2011 disaster.