POSTED: September 27th 2009
Appointments
Tokyo Governor looks to crown his career with Olympic bid
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT / Sports Features Communications
COPENHAGEN, Sept. 27: Shintaro Ishihara has all his priorities set on the Tokyo 2016 bid to host the summer Games. The Governor of the world's largest city arrived in Copenhagen for the IOC vote this next Friday and makes it clear winning to host the Games is the "most important election" of his life.
"Without doubt, we are here for the most important election I've ever been involved in. A winning outcome will change millions of lives forever," said Ishihara.
"We are passionate about hosting the 2016 Games in Tokyo to inspire youth around the world and become the catalyst for a brighter future for all through sport. That is the true power of Olympism.
"Tokyo 2016 is backed by every corner of Japanese society including more than 27 million people in our city and over 100 million across Japan. We are opening our arms to the IOC and want to help the Olympic Movement achieve all its aspirations, as a true partner.
"I want everyone to know we are here to win. Soon our sails will be fully open and we are feeling our Bid starting to accelerate towards the finish. With hard work, Tokyo is coming up fast in this race."
Urban transformation
Ishihara, serving his third consecutive term as popular Governor of Tokyo, was met in Copenhagen by Tokyo 2016 ceo Dr Ichiro Kono, members of the delegation and a number of Japan's top Olympic and Paralympic heroes. Maintaining the environmentally friendly plan of the bid, they travelled from the airport in Mitsubishi electric powered cars.
Kono said: "The major urban and environmental transformation taking place in our city will be completed by 2016 making it the perfect time for Tokyo to host the Games with water and greenery surrounding the pinnacle of sporting achievement showcased right in the very heart of the world's largest city.
"Tokyo 2016 will be the most athlete-focused, compact and sustainable Games in history, where heroic performances take place that inspire youth around the world to embrace sport for a healthier and happier future.
"We helped create a legacy for the Olympic Movement in the 20th Century, but in this time of new challenges, Tokyo 2016 promises to bridge that distant past with an unprecedented 100-year legacy that reaches far into the 21st Century, and a better tomorrow through and beyond sport."
The vote for the 2016 host city will be held on Friday in Copenhagen with Tokyo competing against Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.
Keywords · Tokyo 2016 · Olympic bids · Shintaro Ishihara
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