Tsunekazu Takeda Outlines why Tokyo 2020 would be the ‘best’ Olympic Games

Tokyo 2020 President Tsunekazu Takeda highlighted why the capital of Japan would be the best host of the Olympic Games in 2020, with ‘delivery,’ ‘celebration’ and ‘innovation’ high on the agenda.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, Takeda highlighted that in delivery, Tokyo was the safe pair of hands in the bidding process.

For celebration, the Tokyo 2020 bid would host a city centre party, based on staging the first ‘downtown’ Games.

As for innovation, Tokyo 2020 would ‘use all the creativity and knowledge of the world’s most forward-thinking city to benefit sport worldwide.’

Takeda said: “Our vision is to unite the unique assets with the power of the Olympic Movement and deliver superb Games that will promote the Olympic Values for new generations in what is a challenging and fast-changing era for sport.

“In the last two years, Japan has rediscovered the significant role sport and athletes can play in our lives. Now, we want to raise the profile of athletes and secure the place of sport and Olympism, and thus promote the Olympic Movement.

“This is why we believe the Olympic and Paralympic Games should come to Tokyo, we want to give something special back to the Olympic Movement that has given us so much through sport.”

The meeting with the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan was held ahead of the SportAccord International Convention (Saint Petersburg, 26-31 May), where the three 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Candidate Cities will present to Olympic Family members.