JAPAN: Tokyo holds 2000 strong parade to show support for hosting the 2016 Olympics

Record ID: 329607

  • Title: JAPAN: Tokyo holds 2000 strong parade to show support for hosting the 2016 Olympics
  • Date: 24th September 2009
  • Summary: PEOPLE WATCHING THE PARADE AND CHILDREN WAVING PARADE
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA726TL8YGMIIAA6QUJGWGC99MQ
  • Story Text: With the International Olympic Committee's October 2nd decision approaching, Tokyo's bid committee held a 2000 strong parade on Wednesday (September 23), demonstrating the interest of Tokyo citizens in hosting the 2016 Olympics.
    Tokyo's governor, Japanese athletes, cheerleaders, a marching band and Tokyo residents from all walks of life paraded down a busy street in Tokyo's famous shopping district Harajuku.
    Some young participants dressed in Japanese anime or cartoon costumes also walked down the street attracting both local and foreign audiences.
    Tokyo, which hosted the first Asian Olympics in 1964, faces competition from Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro in the race to host the 2016 Summer games.
    In the IOC's preliminary report, Tokyo was rated highly in technical and financial terms; however, public support was seen as lacking compared to other candidate cities.
    Tokyo's governor said the public is finally behind the effort with new polls showing over 80 percent support and urged everyone to continue showing their will to host the Olympics.
    "Full will of the Japanese people is going to give that final boost to send our message across the world. We want to host the Olympics in Japan and let's keep sending our voices until the last minute!" Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo, told a crowd of locals in Harajuku on Wednesday (September 23).
    Tokyo residents, who were busy shopping in the fashion hub, stopped to watch the parade and show their support for Tokyo hosting the 2016 Olympics.
    "I really want Japan to host the Olympics in Tokyo," Kazumi Kubo, 40-year-old Tokyo resident, told Reuters.
    Many others, who were present in Tokyo when Japan hosted the first Asian Olympics in 1964, said it's about time for Japan to host another Olympic games.
    "I know there are problems in hosting the Olympics, but I'd really like Japan to host the Olympics again. I want my grandchildren to experience the sensation!" said Ayako Horikoshi, a 64-year-old grandmother with five grandchildren.
    Tokyo's bid would come on the heels of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which has led some to question Tokyo's chances of hosting the games.
    However, some youths in Tokyo said they feel strongly about the 2016 Olympics now that they have heard stories of the 1964 Olympics from a much older generation.
    "I wasn't even born when Japan hosted the Olympics years and years ago and I've always wanted to see the Olympics being held in Japan so I hope it's coming here," Yuki Tsurukawa, an 18-year-old high school student, told Reuters.
    To pass on the old tradition, part of Tokyo's bid involves re-using many of the venues from 1964, in addition to new venues such as the planned Olympic Stadium.
    Tokyo hopes for a carbon-free Olympics, promoting Tokyo's public transit system and a plan that would place 95% of Olympic venues within 8 kilometres of each other.
    The Tokyo 2016 bid committee intend to continue to ask Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to attend the October 2nd decision in Copenhagen to lend support against Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish King Juan Carlos.
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