Tokyo 2016 Pushing for Gold in Olympic Race
Japanese Bid outlines ‘winning assets’ before IOC vote
1 October 2009 – Tokyo 2016 today moved to leave the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in no doubt: ‘Why Tokyo?’ in its quest to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the heart of Japan’s dynamic capital city, offering the most compact Games for athletes, total financial security against a difficult economic backdrop and a 100-year legacy showcase for humankind.
Expressing confidence at a press conference in Copenhagen on the eve of the vote, Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:
“First, we have the most compact and convenient Games concept for athletes and sports fans, right in the heart of our city. Helping athletes reach their peak watched by 4 billion people on prime time television, we can inspire the youth of the world.
“Second, we offer total financial security in these difficult economic times, with four billion dollars already in the bank. And finally, we guarantee the greatest ever Olympic legacy for humankind.
“By hosting the 2016 Games, we can showcase to the world how to overcome the many challenges we all face in society, from how to care for our failing environment to how to reconnect world youth with sport, for a happier, healthier life for years to come.”
Dr. Kono confirmed that more than 100 million Japanese now support Tokyo 2016 and tens of thousands of Japanese have worked for more than four years on its offer for the IOC.
Five of the 12 Tokyo 2016 team who will address the IOC on Friday were present. These were the Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara; Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, Dr. Ichiro Kono; President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda; Mikako Kotani, Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medallist; and Aki Taguchi, a Paralympic shooter at the last two Games.
Tokyo Governor and Tokyo 2016 President, Shintaro Ishihara, stressed the importance of Tokyo 2016’s government support and full guarantees for the IOC:
“I believe one of the great assets is the political strength behind our bid. Tomorrow Prime Minister Hatoyama will be leading our team. He has only been in office two weeks so his presence is a significant sign of support for the Olympic and Paralympic Games at every level of Japanese government. They have made the strongest possible guarantees of support to the IOC.
“The support of my Tokyo Metropolitan Government is equally as strong. This really means something as we are a city of 34 million people and have the GDP equivalent to the 17th largest nation. We could almost pay for the Games right now, as we now have four billion dollars in a hosting reserve fund. And I have made this commitment because I firmly believe in the power of sport and the power of the Olympic Games to help transform Tokyo and society as a whole.”
President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and Vice-President of Tokyo 2016, Tsunekazu Takeda, said:
“Tomorrow [presenting to the IOC] we will touch on many points but we will particularly stress the reliability and experience that the International Federations and National Olympic Committees can depend on in Japan. This is a team committed to putting on an incredible celebration of sport in 2016. We also recognize that such a celebration must contribute to furthering the movement and its long-term goals. So we are delighted to work with a bid team that really wants to strengthen sport in Japan and to contribute to the Olympic Movement worldwide.”
Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medallist synchronised swimmer, Mikako Kotani, said:
“As an Olympian and Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission, I’m very proud that the IOC Evaluation Commission considers that every stage of our Games plan has been designed by athletes, for athletes. The Athletes will be at the heart of city life. Completely safe and secure. And being in the heart of our dynamic city, athletes will have an incredible experience. Fun is just around every corner in Tokyo!”
Tokyo 2016 is offering the most compact Games plan in history, 97 percent of venues are within an 8km radius of the Olympic Stadium and Athletes’ Village. 70 percent of athletes will be less than 10 minutes from their venues.
“Through the heroic performances of athletes and our youth outreach programs, we can directly inspire youth in every continent in the world. The next generations are so important to us.”
Aki Taguchi, two-time Paralympic shooter, said:
“I strongly believe that the 2016 Games in Tokyo will be an incredible and transformative event. Tokyo 2016 will create a unique legacy for a more inclusive global society. It will set new standards for the IOC and IPC to demonstrate best practice around the world.
“Tokyo is already the most accessible major city in the world and before 2016 it will become 100 percent barrier free. We stand here with open arms to offer a global showcase for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. In partnership, we can increase the world’s understanding about people with a disability.”
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For more information, please contact:
Masa Takaya (Mr), International Communications Manager, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp
1 October 2009 – Tokyo 2016 today moved to leave the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in no doubt: ‘Why Tokyo?’ in its quest to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the heart of Japan’s dynamic capital city, offering the most compact Games for athletes, total financial security against a difficult economic backdrop and a 100-year legacy showcase for humankind.
Expressing confidence at a press conference in Copenhagen on the eve of the vote, Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:
“First, we have the most compact and convenient Games concept for athletes and sports fans, right in the heart of our city. Helping athletes reach their peak watched by 4 billion people on prime time television, we can inspire the youth of the world.
“Second, we offer total financial security in these difficult economic times, with four billion dollars already in the bank. And finally, we guarantee the greatest ever Olympic legacy for humankind.
“By hosting the 2016 Games, we can showcase to the world how to overcome the many challenges we all face in society, from how to care for our failing environment to how to reconnect world youth with sport, for a happier, healthier life for years to come.”
Dr. Kono confirmed that more than 100 million Japanese now support Tokyo 2016 and tens of thousands of Japanese have worked for more than four years on its offer for the IOC.
Five of the 12 Tokyo 2016 team who will address the IOC on Friday were present. These were the Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara; Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, Dr. Ichiro Kono; President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda; Mikako Kotani, Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medallist; and Aki Taguchi, a Paralympic shooter at the last two Games.
Tokyo Governor and Tokyo 2016 President, Shintaro Ishihara, stressed the importance of Tokyo 2016’s government support and full guarantees for the IOC:
“I believe one of the great assets is the political strength behind our bid. Tomorrow Prime Minister Hatoyama will be leading our team. He has only been in office two weeks so his presence is a significant sign of support for the Olympic and Paralympic Games at every level of Japanese government. They have made the strongest possible guarantees of support to the IOC.
“The support of my Tokyo Metropolitan Government is equally as strong. This really means something as we are a city of 34 million people and have the GDP equivalent to the 17th largest nation. We could almost pay for the Games right now, as we now have four billion dollars in a hosting reserve fund. And I have made this commitment because I firmly believe in the power of sport and the power of the Olympic Games to help transform Tokyo and society as a whole.”
President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and Vice-President of Tokyo 2016, Tsunekazu Takeda, said:
“Tomorrow [presenting to the IOC] we will touch on many points but we will particularly stress the reliability and experience that the International Federations and National Olympic Committees can depend on in Japan. This is a team committed to putting on an incredible celebration of sport in 2016. We also recognize that such a celebration must contribute to furthering the movement and its long-term goals. So we are delighted to work with a bid team that really wants to strengthen sport in Japan and to contribute to the Olympic Movement worldwide.”
Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission and Olympic medallist synchronised swimmer, Mikako Kotani, said:
“As an Olympian and Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission, I’m very proud that the IOC Evaluation Commission considers that every stage of our Games plan has been designed by athletes, for athletes. The Athletes will be at the heart of city life. Completely safe and secure. And being in the heart of our dynamic city, athletes will have an incredible experience. Fun is just around every corner in Tokyo!”
Tokyo 2016 is offering the most compact Games plan in history, 97 percent of venues are within an 8km radius of the Olympic Stadium and Athletes’ Village. 70 percent of athletes will be less than 10 minutes from their venues.
“Through the heroic performances of athletes and our youth outreach programs, we can directly inspire youth in every continent in the world. The next generations are so important to us.”
Aki Taguchi, two-time Paralympic shooter, said:
“I strongly believe that the 2016 Games in Tokyo will be an incredible and transformative event. Tokyo 2016 will create a unique legacy for a more inclusive global society. It will set new standards for the IOC and IPC to demonstrate best practice around the world.
“Tokyo is already the most accessible major city in the world and before 2016 it will become 100 percent barrier free. We stand here with open arms to offer a global showcase for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. In partnership, we can increase the world’s understanding about people with a disability.”
###
For more information, please contact:
Masa Takaya (Mr), International Communications Manager, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp