POSTED: 2012-02-06 05:02:06
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: The Tokyo 2020 bid to host the summer Olympics gained a lot of support this weekend with the big sports festival commemorating the opening of the new gate bridge.
A good 15,000 people came out to participate in the Tokyo Gate Bridge’s Sports Festival which included running, cycling, and walking along the 8km length course. Day one had 5,000 runners and 2,000 cyclers participating, while 8,000 people joined in the walking segment.
A large number of people showed their support for the bid by enthusiastically holding large flags printed “Tokyo 2020” and children participated by writing messages in favor of the Japanese Olympics.
Bid ceo, Masato Mizuno, noted, “The establishment of the new bridge demonstrates Tokyo’s continuous economic growth and urbanization.
“Tokyo Gate Bridge’s Completion Commemoration Ceremony Sports Festival brings excitement for the sports movement, and further underscores our strong desire to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Tokyo.
“Japan’s firm understanding and appreciation of the power of sport, and its ability to generate dreams, hopes, goals and positive change, is fully aligned with the values inherent in the Olympics such as excellence, friendship and respect.”
Bridge amplifies transportation network
The Tokyo Gate Bridge is a new modern architectural linkage that cuts through the reclaimed lands of Tokyo Bay and will vastly expand the city’s traffic network.
The transport infrastructure framework underwent significant development when the city prepared for the ‘64 Games and has been constantly upgraded and extended ever since. The new bridge is one further effort on behalf of the city to show their dedication to the new 2020 bid.
Tokyo is competing against a number of world level cities namely Baku, Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, and Rome. The final decision will be voted at the IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 7, 2013.
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