Tokyo 2016 Olympic Bid Presentation Emphasizes Great Spirit Despite Lack of Emotion

Tokyo made the second presentation to IOC members, at 10:30 AM local time in Copenhagen.  Following is a summary.

A fifteen year-old girl, gymnast, speaking in English, took the stage first.

“I’m not a head of state”, she says.

She described, with images, climate change, discrimination, doping and challenges in the world of sport.

Japanese International Olympic Committee member Chiharu Igaya intoduces new Prime Minister ofJapan and others on the panel.

Newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took the stage.

“We really can make the world a better place, such is the magic of the Olympic Games.” he said.

He described great efforts by the bid to impact world environmental concerns.

A video was shown describing Japan’s efforts in the Olympic movement over the past 100 years, including the 1964 Tokyo Games.

Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo, spoke about development in his region and cooperation with the Olympics.

A video showing typical people becoming involved in sport on a journey toward the Olympics and Paralympics

Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016 took the podium.

“When Japanese people make a promise, we deliver.”

“You’ve asked us to show more emotion.”

“But we are full are spirit! We will deliver everything we say.”

In French, the Kono spoke about public opinion in Tokyo – he said the evaluation visit was showed on major TV networks and since the IOC poll, public support has gone beyond 80%.

Japanese athletes, speaking in french and english, described the venue plans for the bid complete with visuals.

Yuko Arakido promised to teach athletes and visitors to the Tokyo Games karaoke.

Paralympian Junichi Kawai further described venues and commented on their accessibility – he described his dreams for the Games with great emotion.

Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2016 Executive Board member presented more venue information.

Mikako Kotani, Tokyo 2016 Athletes Commission, described the goal of “setting the stage for athletes”.

She presented a video showing the Games being staged in the center of “the largest city in the world”. It described technology, the environment and visitor experience.

Tokyo 2016 Vice President Tsunekazu Takeda took the podium described the Games support for athletes and NOC’s. He offered the IOC his committment to work under their leadership.

“Please give us the opportunity to host these Games – I ask this from my heart.” Takeda said.

Kono took the stage again to discuss goals for anti-doping and peace in sport. He described uniting the youth of the world through the Olympics.

A video was presented showing young people around the world participating in sports.

Shun-ichiro Okano, Executive Board mamber made a short statement asking for support from the IOC along with Kono.

The floor was opened for questions.

Kono addressed a question about public support, reiterating that the rate has risen to over 80%

Kono also answered a question from Prince Albert of Monaco regarding the size of the land for the Olympic Village. He said he believed that it exceeded the requirements of the IOC.

The meeting was adjourned.

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Tokyo unsure if Hatoyama has time to meet voters

COPENHAGEN — Tokyo’s bid leaders were unsure if Japan’s new prime minister will have time to meet IOC members before Friday’s vote to decide the 2016 Olympics host city.

Yukio Hatoyama is scheduled to arrive in Copenhagen later Thursday and will take part in Tokyo’s final presentation to the International Olympic Committee on Friday.

Tokyo 2016 chief executive Ichiro Kono said he was not sure if Hatoyama would have time to meet with the more than 100 IOC members.

“I do hope so, but I am not sure,” Kono told the Associated Press.

The city is vying with Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Summer Games in 2016.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Brazil’s president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are already in Copenhagen lobbying for votes. President Barack Obama arrives Friday to take part in Chicago’s presentation, and Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was to lead Madrid’s briefing later Thursday.

Hatoyama, who took office just two weeks ago, said Thursday he was going to Denmark to help win the vote.

“As long as I go, I want to win,” Hatoyama told reporters before heading for Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. “If our rivals are moving ahead of us, we’ll cruise to the top from behind.”

Kono told reporters at a briefing that celebrity endorsements were not Tokyo’s priority.

“In contrary, I believe the IOC would like to have the games for the athlete,” Kono said, stressing a favorite theme of IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The bid was designed by and for athletes, said Mikako Kotani, who won a bronze medal in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Seoul Games.

“They will be in the heart of city life, safe and secure. We will take care of every little detail,” Kotani said.

Competitors would be offered their personal choice of meal to make them feel at home in the athletes’ village, with 70 percent housed 10 minutes from their venues, she said.

Governor of Tokyo Shintaro Ishihara said Tokyo was the world’s safest city, with high quality drinking water and restaurants.

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Leaders gather in Copenhagen to lobby for 2016 Olympics host

COPENHAGEN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — Heads of government or state from the countries of candidate cities have begun arriving in Copenhagen to lobby for the bid of their cities for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived late Wednesday in the Danish capital to drum up support for Rio De Janeiro’s bid.

Silva, known as Lula, will meet with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members on Thursday ahead of the vote the next day.

He had appealed on Sunday to delegates from Latin American and African countries “to vote for Rio”, hoping to bring the first Olympic Games to South America.

“The world’s biggest sporting event cannot always be held in rich countries,” he said.

Among the Brazilian delegation was well-known football player Pele, who had already been in Copenhagen.

U.S. President Barack Obama will arrive here on Friday and join First Lady Michelle in Chicago’s final presentation to the IOC.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re not taking anything for granted, so I’m going to go talk to some voters,” Michelle Obama told the press upon her arrival on Wednesday in the Marriott Hotel.

She said that she would tell the IOC members that Chicago “is a wonderful host city (with) great people, great facilities.”

“It knows about sports and its hospitality is like no other,” she added.

The IOC’s 121st Session will select the host city of the 2016 summer Olympic Games among Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro and Chicago are seen as the favorites in a tight race as the Brazilian delegation hopes to bring the first Olympic games to Latin America and Obama’s presence throws heavy weight behind Chicago’e bid for hosting the largest sports event.

Obama, to be the first U. S. president to appeal in person to the IOC for an Olympics event, had previously wanted to stay at home to push forward his health care reform.

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Photos from Copenhagen

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Tokyo 2016

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Chicago 2016 Delegation at the airport

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Rio 2016

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Tokyo play up legacy and environment credentials in 2016 race

TOKYO has a simple tactic for success in the 2016 Olympic race, repeated use of the International Olympic Committee’s favourite buzzword – legacy.

And they are also appealing to another cause loved by the International Olympic Committee, claiming they will deliver the first-ever carbon-negative Games.

“Tokyo 2016′s 100-year legacy promise is one of the most important offers an Olympic bid has made to the world,” said bid leader Dr Ichiro Kono.

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“By awarding Tokyo the 2016 Games, the IOC will enable a new model of sustainability, environmental best practice, and youth engagement.

“What is at stake is a brighter future for the next generation.”

Professor Shin-ichi Takemura, a world-renowned environment expert, is a key part of Tokyo’s delegation in Copenhagen and insists the bid’s eco-friendly credentials must be taken into account.

Tokyo are considered third favourites to stage the Games – behind frontrunners Chicago and Rio but ahead of Madrid.

“In the Olympic Charter, the IOC makes clear its commitment for the Olympic Games to contribute positively to the future of our planet,” he said.

“Half of the world’s population now live in cities, and the huge emissions from urban areas endanger the earth.

“We are ready to tackle this issue – through hosting the ‘greenest’ ever Games in 2016.”

Tokyo – which staged the Olympics in 1964 – is promising the most compact Games ever and is vowing to plant 1,000 hectares of new greenery throughout the city.

However, such promises – while very worthy – cannot be considered vote winners with the notoriously fickle 106-strong electorate of the IOC.

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Hatoyama to Go to Copenhagen to Bolster Tokyo 2016 Olympic Bid

By Stuart Biggs and Takashi Hirokawa

Sept. 28 (Bloomberg) — Japan’s Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will go to Copenhagen this week to boost Tokyo’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said at a press conference today.

The International Olympic Committee meets on Oct. 2 to select the host for the games from four finalists: Tokyo, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spain’s King Juan Carlos will attend the vote, while President Barack Obama hasn’t decided whether to attend, a senior adviser said last week. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend to win support for Chicago.

Securing the games may mean billions of dollars in construction, tourism, sponsorships and advertising as well as prestige for the winning city. Tokyo’s bid is the centerpiece of a 10-year urban renewal plan designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a model for metropolises in the 21st century, according to the bid document.

“Tokyo is presenting an original plan to reduce the burden on our environment,” Hirano told reporters in Tokyo today. “Even though it’s a busy time with the inauguration of the new administration, the prime minister decided to go to the IOC.”

Hatoyama, who took office on Sept. 16, will leave Japan on Oct. 1 and return the day after the Olympic vote, Hirano said.

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Tokyo’s Chances Fade for 2016 Olympics

The lowest level of citizen support among the four finalists coupled with mixed signals from Japan’s new government likely won’t help at next week’s IOC vote

By Hiroko Tashiro

Tokyo's Propsed Olympic Village

Tokyo once was considered a front-runner to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Japan hasn’t hosted a Summer Games since 1964, so Tokyo boosters could argue it was time for the Olympics to return. Moreover, with the country’s deep pockets, financing the new venues and building the infrastructure needed for the Games wouldn’t be a problem for the Japanese. Indeed, in the first round of the selection process in June 2008, Tokyo received the highest overall evaluation, besting fellow finalists Chicago, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro.

As members of the International Olympic Committee prepare to vote in Copenhagen on Oct. 2 for the 2016 host city, though, Tokyo’s chances have dimmed considerably. A recent IOC report praised Tokyo’s proposal to stage a compact Games, in which 97% of the venues would be located within 8 kilometers of the Olympic stadium. The IOC also lauded Tokyo’s public transport and financial guarantees. However, the IOC pointed to a lack of enthusiasm about the Games among Japan’s citizens. For example, 55% of Japanese support the idea of bringing the Olympics back to Tokyo. That’s the lowest among the four finalists. Madrid leads in that category with 86% support nationally.

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), not surprisingly, says there’s no reason to worry. The IOC’s poll was conducted in February, before the visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission, say JOC officials, and since then the public awareness has risen. “Polls have shown higher rates of support around 80%,” says Ichiro Kono, chair and CEO of the Tokyo 2016 Bid Committee. The IOC report also expressed concern about the small size of the site of the Olympic Village and pointed out that only half of the competition venues exist, as opposed to two-thirds stated previously. “We will explain in detail and have no concerns [about persuading the IOC],” Kono says.

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Japan’s new PM eyes Copenhagen Olympic trip

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AFP) – Japan’s new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Thursday he hoped to visit Copenhagen next week to lobby the Olympic committee to pick Tokyo for the 2016 Summer Games.

“I’m getting strong requests from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and sports officials,” the popular Japanese premier told reporters as he attended a Group of 20 economic summit in Pittsburgh.

“If the schedule allows me, I want to seriously consider going to Copenhagen,” said Hatoyama, who took office last week after ending half a century of rule by a conservative party in general elections.

Hatoyama said he has already started lobbying world leaders on Tokyo’s bid by making use of his attendance at the two-day summit here as well as the UN General Assembly in New York, which began earlier this week.

“I want to make a decision as quickly as possible,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the White House said US President Barack Obama may also fly to Copenhagen to speak up for Chicago. The International Olympic Committee votes on the 2016 venue on October 2.

In his place, First Lady Michelle Obama is currently due to travel to Copenhagen to press the claims of her hometown, which is competing against Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

King Juan Carlos of Spain and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are expected to travel to Copenhagen.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair is widely credited with winning the 2012 Summer Games for London by going to Singapore to lobby.

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Olympics 2016 – Behind the bid: Tokyo

Only in Tokyo could you hire a cat out for an hour and stroke it while you have a cappuccino – or better still, while a robot cooks your noodles for you.

Japan has made staggering progress since its capital last hosted the Olympic Games in 1964 when the government unveiled the “Bullet Train” to mark its emergence as an economic power.

The bustling metropolis of 13 million – which is one of four cities vying to host the 2016 Olympics – has become a showcase for technological breakthrough, cutting-edge architecture and the world’s finest cuisine.

The world’s second largest economy, Japan retains a great deal of its traditional charm, shrines and quaint old shops often to be found tucked beside gleaming new skyscrapers.

Many of the iconic structures built for the 1964 Olympics, such as the elliptical national gymnasium, are still in use and as stunning in appearance as they were 45 years ago.

Modern Tokyo, with its “Blade Runner”-style crackling neon lights and crowded trains and shops, has turned convenience into an art with its automated wizardry.

Vending machines dispense everything from umbrellas to underwear. Japan boasts the highest number of machines per capita in the world and even has them at the top of Mt Fuji.

However, Tokyo’s credentials as a tourist destination will come under the spotlight should the city beat Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro in the race to host the 2016 Games.

Visitors should expect the unexpected – earthquakes and typhoons included. Tokyo’s waterside Olympic stadium would be built on giant shock-absorbers to withstand major tremors.

Many stereotypes about Japan are shattered long before travellers have figured out the sensor light switches and bath taps in their hotel room on their first night in Tokyo.

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Japan’s new PM writes IOC backing Tokyo 2016 bid

By STEPHEN WILSON (AP)

LONDON — Japan’s new prime minister has sent a letter to IOC members assuring them that government support for Tokyo’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics “remains as strong as ever.”

Yukio Hatoyama took office on Sept. 16 after his Democratic Party defeated the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party in elections at the end of August.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Hatoyama reassures International Olympic Committee members of his personal support and his government’s backing for the Tokyo bid.

“Japan has undergone a change of national government,” he said in the letter dated Sept. 20. “However, I would like to offer you my fullest assurance that Japan’s commitment to the Olympic Movement and to Tokyo’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games remains as strong as ever.”

Tokyo, which hosted the Olympics in 1964, is competing against Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. The IOC will vote on the host city in Copenhagen on Oct. 2.

Japanese organizers have urged Hatoyama to travel to Copenhagen for the vote. However, in his letter, he made no commitment to attend.

“I strongly hope that I will have the opportunity of meeting with you at some point in the future,” he said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish King Juan Carlos have said they will be in Copenhagen for the vote. President Barack Obama has left open the possibility of going, but is sending first lady Michelle Obama in any case. Obama, Silva and Juan Carlos have also sent letters to IOC members.

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