Tokyo 2020: Team Visa Paralympic athletes named

The Games’ Official Payment Services Partner is supporting five Paralympians in their training 29 Aug 2019

Japanese man completes long jump in sand

Hajimu Ashida joins Team Visa ahead of Tokyo 2020

ⒸGetty Images

By IPC and Visa

Visa has expanded its commitment to Paralympic athletes by announcing its “Team Visa” roster, as well as launching a donation programme ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Five Paralympic athletes will be supported in their training and preparations for Tokyo 2020 through the Official Payment Services Partner of the Paralympic Games.

Visa, also a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold Partner, has again signed the USA’s Oksana Masters (cross-country skiing, biathlon, cycling and rowing); Brazil’s Daniel Dias (swimming); Canada’s Aurelie Rivard (swimming); Japan’s Monika Seryu (canoe), and Japan’s Hajimu Ashida (athletics).

a male Para swimmer jumps backwards into the water — Daniel Dias

Visa is the longest-standing global Paralympic partner (since 2003), and through its Team Visa programme – founded in 2000 – supports athletes by providing the tools, resources and other necessary support needed.

“The Paralympic Games presents a tremendous opportunity for amazing athletes to pursue their dreams both on and off the field,” said Lynne Biggar, Visa’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. “These athletes push through boundaries every day, and they are a terrific expression of what Visa stands for as a brand. We are proud to expand our support of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic athletes.”

female sit skier Oksana Masters pushing through the snow — Oksana Masters

Masters, with eight Paralympic medals in three different sports, will compete to medal in a fourth sport – cycling – at Tokyo 2020. She was named the Women's Sports Foundation's 2018 individual Sportswoman of the Year.

“It’s amazing to be a part of Team Visa and have a partner like Visa behind you believing in you and supporting you,” said Masters.

Japanese woman in wheelchair surrounded by media — Team Visa athlete Monika Seryu speaking at the canoe and rowing venue for Tokyo 2020

Aurelie Rivard - Rio 2016 — Aurelie Rivard

Visa’s support for Paralympic athletes also extends to leadership off the field with the Paralympian Business Development Programme that gives athletes exposure to different parts of Visa’s business they may not have otherwise had.

"The programme is testimony to how success in meeting the challenges of athletic competition can translate to a business setting," said swimmer and cyclist Kelly Crowley, a two-sport Paralympic medallist who now works at Visa on its talent acquisition team. “As we look forward to Tokyo 2020, the Paralympic Games is another important aspect of Visa’s commitment.”

Woman riding track bike in velodrome — Kelly Crowley

Visa has also gone further by launching a donation-matching programme for Japanese cardholders.

Targeted for Japanese-based Visa card holders, Visa will match donations made from 25 August 2019 to 31 December 2020 via the programme page on the Japanese Paralympic Committee’s official website.