Tokyo’s 2020 Bid has a Better Chance says Takeda

Tokyo 2020 head Tsunekzu Takeda said that Tokyo’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games has a better chance now than when it bid for the 2016 Games.

Tokyo was competing against four cities when it bid for the 2016 Summer Games, but this time it faces only two cities – Madrid and Istanbul. Istanbul is divided into a European and an Asian side, making Tokyo the only wholly Asian bid. Takeda, an IOC member and head of Japan’s Olympic Committee, told Reuters “I think it is a big difference this time.

“Last time it was spread out around four continents. This time it is two from Europe and one from Asia. I think this is better for us.”

Takeda said despite a growing Asian presence on the Olympic map, it was not a drawback. He said, “(IOC President) Jacques Rogge said the Winter and Summer Games are a totally different thing and Tokyo is not in a disadvantage. There are different dynamics.

“Asia is becoming stronger. The economy is coming up and sports is increasing”, he said.

Tokyo wants to use the Games as a way to recover from last year’s earthquake and tsunami leaving up to 20,000 people dead or missing.

Takeda added, “The 2016 bid has been enhanced as part of the recovery effort. Many IOC members and sports people have understood that our young people need this hope for the future.”