olympics

Tokyo among 6 cities bidding for 2020 Olympics

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26 Comments
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Dear God, please not Tokyo. Let some other citites crony-czars go into crazy debt hosting this ode to a unelected "movement" heads and "official sponsors."

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Las Vegas? That would have been wild.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Stupid idea and a waste of money. It will have a negative impact on Japan. World media is not controlled by Jap govt, and athletes really care about their health. Holding this sports event so close to Fukushima, with tainted food will just destroy Japan's image. Fukoaka would be a great choice though.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"Vegas Olympics" - that would open the door to all kinds of new "sports" fer sure!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Do they think that considering Japan's present economic, political and social stage as well as their poor performance in foreign policy, let alone their backward small-minded self-centered mentality in the international community that they will be able to get it right and make all necessary things meet the expectation and requirements in such a short time?

Can they bring up athletes in such a short time who are prepared and worthy of competition and capable of successfully perform in the race for medals?

What do they hope for, business, gaining popularity? My guess is, they will lose both.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

once again, my hard earned tax money going up in smoke..thank you Ishihara

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can they bring up athletes in such a short time who are prepared and worthy of competition and capable of successfully perform in the race for medals?

I dont necessarily want the games here myself, but I think you are being a bit harsh on Japan as a nation and in particular its athletes. They are very strong in certain sports (swimming? Gymnastics? Long distance running? Judo? to name a few) and lets face it, London are getting the 2012 games and yet we are absolutely CRAP at most olympic events these days!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's another wasteful spending. Noda should ban it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fukushima to me sounds like the perfect venue desho ne!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Forget about the Olympics Japan, not only do we have to clean up northern Japan and deal with the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, but we also need to re-tool our energy policies towards green technologies. How about in 600 years when this mess is finally cleaned up? Istanbul would be cool.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

They are very strong in certain sports

They were or I should say used to be. They could be again but as I see their spirit has gone. Maybe I'm wrong. Very personal opinion, though.

I think you are being a bit harsh on Japan as a nation

Just trying to be realistic. Many years ago there were too many so called "japan bashing" comment on this board that were more negative on Japan than this present one of mine. Most of them, as I always thought, were posted for challenge or fun, though. But now thinking back it's surprising to see how many of them (including dim predictions) proved to be true.

-1 ( +1 / -1 )

I still think it could be a great way to rebuild. No housing, just sports venues and parks. Build housing on high ground like they do in HK.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Anywhere but Qatar.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Qatar won't get it as they just got the bid for the WC for 2022, among other reasons. Looking at these choices I'd say Tokyo actually has a better chance than I thought -- especially when Ishihara has his cronies hand over the extra-large envelope this time. More seriously, though, this could actually be a close race. I HOPE it doesn't go to Tokyo, as I think the money could be better spent, once again, elsewhere (they shouldn't even be spending the money on a bid). That loon Ishihara says it will help the people of Tohoku, but I still fail to see how, since it will take tax money that could have been used to help them to build venues they'll never be able to afford to see. Japan, Ishihara being the prime example, is still not ready from a foreign-friendly perspective to host the games, either, and it would wreak havoc on the already over-crowded transportation system.

I don't think Madrid will get it, as Spain had it not that long ago (relatively speaking), and I'm not too sure about Baku as a first bidder. I think Istanbul stands a good chance if they can make a good presentation, and Rome may also be at the top of the bidding, although the Olympics being in London next year might hurt their chances a little.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tokyo could probably do it with the least amount of rebuilding, certainly a bit of tweaking here and there, though the infrastructure is certainly first class and more importantly the security situation is good for all contenstants from whatever country they come from. The climate too isnt bad - depending on the time its planned to be held, and a relatively stable place (baring the odd earthquake). I hope Tokyo does get the chance however I suspect that we may see graft being more of a persuassive influence.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Istanbul is the obvious choice - the only town located on two continents. It would help Turkey to become more open-minded since it would strengthen the liberal Istanbul against the somewhat backwards oriented Anatolia.

They should certainly refrain from giving it to Japan. Japan has a long history of wasteful spending for prestigious projects and ignoring important infrastructure in the countryside. Every yen available must be spent for rebuilding Tohoku and controlling the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

If Ishihara really thinks that the Tokyo bid is sensible, he shows clearly that he has lost his grip on reality.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In my opinion, Tokyo might get the nod this time around. having 2012 in Europe, 2016 in South America...An asian city might get the 2020.

I also thought that if ever Tokyo get it this time, they will tripled their efforts to really finished the nuclear crisis here in Fukushima and every Japanese might think of ways or invent gadgets/machines that will ensure safety with respect to radiation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Gilberto: "I also thought that if ever Tokyo get it this time, they will tripled their efforts to really finished the nuclear crisis here in Fukushima and every Japanese might think of ways or invent gadgets/machines that will ensure safety with respect to radiation."

True, but on the other hand it might also usher in an unprecedented sense of self-satisfaction if they get it, with Ishihara being prouder of himself than ever. I could see Tokyo REALLY cleaning up over it, but at the same time focussing ONLY on the areas where the Olympics will be held and further ignoring the people in the north while speaking about how great it is for them (on their behalf, without their permission).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why not Baku?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Any incentive to clean up the country is good. 2020 is a realistic time to sort out all the crap going on in the country and an extra push to speed things up. If they can decommission and remove the nuke plant with whatever futuristic tools they can manufacture within the next 5-6 years that would be great. An extra 2-3 years more to clean up the top soil, vegetation, crops, sea and forests of the country and they might just be able to make Japan a country you want to live in again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They are very strong in certain sports (swimming? Gymnastics? Long distance running? Judo? to name a few) and lets face it, London are getting the 2012 games and yet we are absolutely CRAP at most olympic events these days!

CRAP? Ummm....Great Britain are a VERY strong team - make no mistake about that. Your admin, funding and athlete's effort are top-notch and close to worlds best. 19 Golds in Beijing - versus Japan 9. 47 total medals vs 25. 62 Mill. people vs 128 Mill. GB will aim for 30 Golds next Games. Heck - those Brits even beat us Aussies somehow - and it hurts me to admit it coming from a famous sports nation!

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@Burakumin

Heck - those Brits even beat us Aussies somehow

We do, don't we? Looking forward to the rugby world cup.... :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

New TV tower, Tokyo Olympics... what next, a Shinkansen? Ishihara's mind is back in the 1960s. If he really wants to history to repeat itself, Japan should lose a war again and then rebuild.

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@smithinjapan - the World Cup and the Olympics really don't have any connection, as we saw with Rio getting the Olympics and Brazil hosting the World Cup for within the space of 2 years.

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it will be an unpredictable race not like 2012 or 16 or2008. 4 cities can get the games. not a clear frontrunner for now. but If Istanbul plays the cards good and a compact plan, IOC will not regret to say hello to turkic and muslim world this time

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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