Tokyo 2020: Prime Minister Assures IOC Fukushima Radioactive Leak is ‘under control’

The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe attempted to assure members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the radioactive leak at the Fukushima nuclear plant was ‘under control.’

Abe was speaking during Tokyo 2020’s question and answer session after presenting their bid for the final time to the Olympic movement.

The Fukushima crisis had threatened to derail Tokyo 2020’s bid, clinic which had long been considered the favourite out of Istanbul and Madrid.

Abe said that the situation ‘poses no problems what so ever’ and that only a very small and now isolated piece of land was affected by the radiation.

Speaking in English, Abe said: “Let me assure you the situation is under control. It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.

“There are no health related problems until now, nor will there be in the future.

‘I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way.’

Tokyo 2020 put on a strong performance and Abe’s confident response to the Fukushima questions could put their bid in a firm position to be victorious.

The IOC will vote later today and the announcement of the 2020 host city will be made at 17:00 Buenos Aires time.

You can follow all the developments and receive expert insights live on iSportconnect here.