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Tokyo 2020 is less than two weeks away and to celebrate the return of the Olympic Games basketball legend Scottie Pippen’s will host a throwback 1992-inspired stay at his Chicago home, while fellow team members Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing will host Online Experiences – virtual sessions available to Australian and Global audiences.Wearing number 8 for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, small forward Scottie Pippen is one of the most beloved members of the team. Pippen is the only player to have won a NBA championship and gold medal at the Olympic Games in the same calendar year twice, first in 1992 and then again in 1996. And now, to celebrate the return of the Olympic Games this summer, Pippen is opening the doors to his Chicagoland home and tackling another first — becoming an Airbnb Host.

“Being able to represent the United States as an Olympian twice was an incredible honor as an athlete,” said Pippen. “Playing alongside the best of the best with Team USA will always be a career highlight for me, and I’m excited to host basketball fans at my home to witness the next generation of athletes performing at the top of their sport.“
For those basketball superfans unable to book the stay, fellow 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball teammates Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing will host Online Experiences offering intimate discussions about how becoming a gold medalist Olympian was a career highlight.

Not a basketball fan, but love other Olympic sports, like surfing? No problem. Airbnb is also offering Olympic and Paralympic superfans around the world over 200 new ways to experience the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the launch of Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences. Hosted by current and retired Olympians and Paralympians, fans can relive iconic moments in Olympic or Paralympic Games history or learn what it takes to perform at the top of the top of one’s game with the athletes themselves.

Australian athletes will be joining in on the online fun and serving up an array of unique experiences for their green and gold fans. Join Olympic and Professional WSL Surfer Nikki Van Dijk for a yoga session on Tsurigasaki beach, or get inspired by Olympic gold medalists with sessions from Kerri Potthurst (Beach Volleyball), Matt Mitcham (Diving), Evan O’Hanlon (Paralympic Athletics) and Vanessa Low (Paralympic Athletics).

Additionally, Airbnb has partnered with the Nippon Foundation Volunteer Support Center – an organisation operationally supporting the Games – to help ensure that world-renowned Olympic volunteer spirit touches as many hearts as possible. At a time when many Olympic and Paralympic fans find themselves unable to make it to the Games, a series of 20 unique Online Experiences hosted by 89 local volunteers will help them feel connected to the event in a truly memorable way.

Hosted by locals, these free, authentic experiences will give guests insights into the venues, cities and histories behind this year’s Games. From a virtual tour of the Paralympic Marathon course, to an introduction to the Fukushima Azuma Stadium area that’s paired with a calligraphy class, guests will uniquely experience Games-hosting cities across Japan including through Online Experiences in Miyagi, Fukushima, Yokohama, Shizuoka and Tokyo. The
initiative also aims to inspire future travel to Japan by showcasing local culture, attractions and hidden gems.

Airbnb is proud to be a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, celebrating the athletic achievements of both past and future athletes. Through these curated online experiences, Airbnb aims to offer fans an opportunity to harness the much-loved Olympic and Paralympic spirit. To explore all these Experiences hosted by a variety of past and present Olympians and Paralympians and local volunteers visit airbnb.com/olympics.

This press release encourages safe and responsible travel. Local and international travel requirements, as well as health guidelines, continue to change quickly. Check local restrictions at home and in your destination before booking a trip on Airbnb.