‘Safe pair of hands’ Tokyo to host 2020 Games

Japan capital beats Madrid, Istanbul to win right for hosting Olympics.

TOKYO: Tokyo celebrated yesterday after winning the right to host the Olympic Games for the second time, overcoming fears about radiation from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant to land the 2020 edition of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Buenos Aires chose the Japanese capital, over Istanbul, after Madrid was dramatically eliminated following a first-round tie with the Turkish city.

“I have been waiting a long time for this feeling,” said bid chief Tsunekazu Takeda in Buenos Aires. “The members of the IOC have seen that Tokyo is a safe pair of hands.”

Tokyo city governor Naoki Inose added that the Olympics would help Japan recover from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed more than 18,000 lives and vowed no let up to create what he said would be ‘the best Games ever’.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had earlier flown to South America from the G20 summit in St Petersburg, Russia, to reassure nervous members about the safety of the nuclear plant some 220 kilometres from Tokyo amid fears about the leaking of contaminated water.

He told delegates that the situation was ‘under control’, adding: “It has never done or will do any damage to Tokyo.”

Concerns over Fukushima – seriously damaged by the quake and giant waves two-and-a-half years ago – had dogged the bid in the final days despite Tokyo’s branding as a safe and sound city, but Abe successfully allayed IOC members’ fears.

The final result was 60 votes for Tokyo against 36 for Istanbul.

“We have now been given a dream, a hope, and a future,” said Abe.

“Japan has had 15 years of economic stagnation... and we’ve lost confidence in ourselves. But I hope this will be a chance for us to regain our confidence.”

The vote for Tokyo – which came third in the race for the 2016 Games won by Rio de Janeiro – means it will be the fourth time Japan plays host to the Olympics, having also organised winter Games in Nagano (1998) and Sapporo (1972).

Asia will see successive Olympics as the South Korean resort of Pyeongchang is hosting the 2018 winter edition.

IOC played safe for 2020: committee members

Most IOC members opted for a safe bet when they elected Tokyo as hosts for the 2020 Olympics, according to the organisation’s vice-president Thomas Bach.

Germany’s Bach, who is the favourite to succeed retiring IOC President Jacques Rogge when he steps down tomorrow, said members had been faced with a clearly defined choice in the final round.

“They (Tokyo) convinced with an excellent presentation,” the 59-year-old told AFP.

“It is a well-deserved victory. Go to new shores or to a traditional bid? Tokyo was a more traditional choice.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2013.

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