POSTED: July 5th 2012
NewsUpdate
JOC: Prime Minister Noda cheers on Team Japan and the Tokyo 2020 bid
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
July 5 – Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with two key members of the team preparing for London 2012 and the head of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) to express his complete support for the team at the Games. Noda also gave his support behind the Tokyo 2020 bid effort as the bid team visits London as observers.
Women's wrestling champion Saori Yoshida and breaststroke swimmer Ryo Tateishi represented the national team at the visit together with JOC head and president of Tokyo 2020, Tsunekazu Takeda.
Noda confirmed, "I hope that you will exert your potential to the fullest and (with your performance) cheer up the people and give them inspiration.”
Yoshida gave her promise to the premier, "I will do my best to bag a gold medal” and Tateishi seconded the motion of her commitment.
Takeda said, “I am encouraged and honoured by the Prime Minister’s strong support ahead of the London Games. Additionally, the rock steady support from all levels of government, up to and including the Prime Minister, demonstrates Tokyo 2020’s readiness to deliver a lasting legacy for the city, our country and for international sport.”
The Prime Minister promised government support for the campaign to host the summer Games in Tokyo and also for the significant effort that Japan is carrying out through sports projects for outreach in the areas that were hit by the earthquake and tsunami last year.
The Japanese Olympic Committee is very active with local partners using Olympians to inspire and motivate local youth to keep the spirit high. Especially with the hope for the bid Japan is nurturing a new Olympic Dream.
Tokyo is competing against Istanbul and Madrid to host the 2020 summer Games and the final vote will take place on September 7th 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the IOC session.
Keywords · Japan Olympic Committee · Tokyo 2020 · Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda · Tsunekazu Takeda
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