Japanese Olympian Yasu attended Global Sport Agora London 2026 for the second consecutive year, following his participation in the 2025 edition. Held on 8 October at the historic Guildhall in London, the international forum was organised by the World Academy of Sport (WAoS) in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, bringing together senior leaders from international sport, business and government to discuss the future of the global sports industry.

Yasu’s participation for the second consecutive year reflects his continued engagement with the international sports business community and his commitment to exploring new opportunities at the intersection of sport, investment and business.

The central theme of this year’s forum was “Building Sport as an Asset Class,” exploring how investment, effective governance and collaboration across the sporting ecosystem can generate sustainable, long-term economic and social value.

Placing Athletes at the Centre of Sport’s Future

Drawing on his experience as a two-time Olympian who has navigated retirement and returned to competitive swimming, Yasu emphasised the importance of placing athletes at the centre of the evolving relationship between sport and business.

As sport increasingly attracts investment from global financial markets, discussions highlighted the need to balance commercial growth with athlete well-being, sporting integrity and meaningful connections with fans.

Key topics included athlete rights, biometric data, artificial intelligence, post-retirement career support, athlete health and investment in grassroots sport. The discussions also underscored the importance of transparent governance, clear accountability and shared values in building a sustainable sporting ecosystem.

Yasu believes that athletes should be recognised not merely as commercial assets but as essential stakeholders in shaping the future of sport. Protecting sport’s intrinsic values while maximising its commercial potential is fundamental to creating lasting value for athletes, fans and society.

Connecting Japanese Sport with the Global Business Ecosystem

The event provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives and strengthen connections with international leaders across sport, governance and investment.

Among the distinguished participants were Pernilla Wiberg, OLY, President of the World Olympians Association and two-time Olympic gold medallist, and Tony Asghar, Founder and Managing Partner of Revolution Sports Investment.

A networking dinner at The Skyline London on 7 October preceded the main conference at Guildhall, providing further opportunities for international dialogue and collaboration.

Yasu sees significant potential in connecting Japan’s world-class athletes, technological capabilities and distinctive sporting culture with the global sports business ecosystem. Building international partnerships and developing new opportunities at the intersection of sport and business remain key areas of focus for his future activities.

Looking Ahead

Having participated in Global Sport Agora for the second consecutive year, Yasu will continue to draw on his experience as an Olympian and his international network to contribute to the development of sport as both a commercial sector and a force for positive social impact.

Yasu expressed his sincere appreciation to Chris Solly, Michael Cary and the World Academy of Sport for the opportunity to participate in this year’s forum.

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On 3 October 2026, Yasu will take on the OCEANMAN Malta 10KM at Ghadira Bay, Malta.

As part of his ongoing campaign towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games, this international open-water race represents another important milestone in his return to the highest level of competition.

The 10KM event will provide Yasu with an opportunity to test his current form against an international field and further build the race experience required for the challenges ahead.

Following his return to elite competition, Yasu continues to compete internationally with a clear long-term objective: to earn the opportunity to represent Japan at the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

Every race is part of the journey.

One race at a time. One goal in sight. LA 2028.

On 23 August 2026, Yasu will compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Tallinn in Tallinn, Estonia.

This race marks the second event in his Road to Kona campaign and represents another important milestone on his journey toward qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

As Yasu continues to build endurance and race experience over the middle-distance format, each event brings him one step closer to achieving his long-term goal of competing at the highest level of triathlon.

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