Tokyo 2020 Bid President Takeda Elected to IOC

Tsunekazu Takeda, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020, was elected Thursday as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Following the election Takeda said it was “an extremely humbling experience, and I would like to express my appreciation to the IOC for the responsibilities they have entrusted in me. I look forward to continue representing and promoting the Olympic Movement in Japan and throughout the world. I am determined to inspire and educate youth through sport, as there is no other universal language that better brings people together.”

In addition to his positions with the IOC, JOC and Tokyo 2020, Takeda is also President of The Olympians Association of Japan, Executive Board Member of the Olympic Council of Asia, and Honorary Vice President of the International Equestrian Federation.

Tokyo is one of three candidates bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. His new position will add momentum to Tokyo’s bid.