The 2020 Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan the International
Olympic Committee announced on 07/09/2013.
Istanbul and Tokyo were the final two competitors for the honor. Madrid
was eliminated in the first round of voting. Madrid and Istanbul were tied in
the initial voting, but a runoff vote gave that edge to Istanbul 49-45. Tokyo
had outpolled both (Madrid and Istanbul) of them in the initial round of
International Olympic Committee voting, which took place in Buenos Aires,
Argentina.
Both Istanbul and Tokyo offered great steps forward for the Olympic
experience. Istanbul would be the first time that a primarily Muslim country
would host the Olympics, while Tokyo would be the first Asian country to host
it twice. Tokyo has last hosted the Olympic games in 1964.
Same time Tokyo positioned itself as a safe option, indicating that no
radioactivity from the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster would affect the Games
in any way.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told the International Olympic Committee on
Saturday. "Let me assure you the situation is under control. It has never
done and will never do any damage to Tokyo."
Tokyo had appeared the favorite, concerns over safety had reportedly
weakened the city's bid in recent weeks. Prime Minister Abe took pains to
dispel those concerns under repeated questioning from the IOC. "There are
no health related problems until now, nor will there be in the future," he
said. "I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal
way."
All three Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid were repeat bidders. In addition to
Madrid's three tries, Tokyo had attempted twice in the last two bids, while
Istanbul has now failed in five attempts.
