The World Expo 2025 in Osaka welcomed Olympic legend and President of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), Sergii Bubka, together with Mori Takeo, CEO of the World Masters Games Organising Committee, Toru Takahashi, Executive Director, and Makoto Chogahara, Board Member of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA).
The delegation visited the impressive setup of Expo 2025. The Grand Ring—a vast wooden canopy—stands as both the architectural and symbolic heart of the fairgrounds. Designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, this monumental structure spans a 2-kilometer circumference, covering over 60,000 m² and soaring to a height of 20 meters, making it the largest wooden architectural structure in the world, officially certified by Guinness World Records on March 4, 2025.
The Grand Ring doubles as a Skywalk—an elevated walkway that invites visitors to stroll along its crest, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Expo zones. This design encapsulates the Expo’s theme of “Unity in Diversity,” gracefully encircling the site’s diverse cultural expressions while uniting them beneath one continuous wooden canopy
The Expo brings together countries and regions from across the world to present innovations, cultural achievements, and visions for a sustainable future. Pavilions from every continent offer visitors a unique window into global collaboration, underlining Expo’s role as a meeting point of cultures and ideas.
During their visit, President Bubka and his colleagues made a special stop at the World Masters Games 2027 stand, located inside the Kansai Pavilion. There, they joined local organisers in promoting the upcoming Games, which will bring together tens of thousands of athletes of all ages from around the globe to celebrate sport, friendship, and healthy lifestyles. The Kansai Pavilion provided the perfect stage to showcase Japan’s rich sporting tradition and its commitment to hosting an inclusive, world-class event in 2027.
Speaking during the visit, Bubka highlighted the strong symbolic link between Expo 2025 and the World Masters Games:
“I’m impressed by the overall presentation of the Expo. The design, the stands, the organisation and how the idea of ‘Unity in diversity’, nature and traditions are woven into each of these aspects. The Expo is about celebrating humanity’s diversity and potential, while the World Masters Games celebrate the universal spirit of sport. Both create opportunities for people from all nations to connect, learn, and inspire each other.”
The day underscored the deep connections between international sport, cultural exchange, and global events such as the Expo. The Expo 2025 has already been drawing over 15 million visitors worldwide.
