(ATR) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assures the IOC that the national government is behind the bid from Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.
Abe spoke as the IOC Evaluation Commission began its four-day inspection of the Japanese capital. Visits to the other 2020 bids, Madrid and Istanbul, will follow later this month.
"Tokyo 2020 will inspire many others just as Tokyo did before in 1964," Abe told the IOC, briefly breaking out in song with the theme from Japan's first and only Summer Games.
"You will hear a lot about our infrastructure," the PM added after a smattering of laughs.
"Yes, our preparedness is second to none. Yet it is our people, their innate hospitality and kindness, that will most please the athletes," said Abe, whose government was elected in December.
"I guarantee you that in Tokyo, with the fullest support of my government, they will feel the happiest."
The 15-member commission, composed of IOC members, technical experts and representatives from federations and NOCs, received closed-door briefings on the Tokyo bid Monday morning.
Presentations spanned five of the 14 themes covered in the bid book, including vision, legacy and communication; overall concept of the Games; sport and venues; Olympic Village; and Paralympic Games.
Among the speakers wereTokyo 2020 President Tsunekazu Takeda, Chairman Naoki Inose, CEO Masato Mizuno and Sports Director Yuko Arakida as well asHomare Sawa, the 2011 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.
Asked by Around the Rings afterwards how pitching the IOC compared to competing in the football final at London 2012, the four-time Olympian said she felt a different kind of nervousness today.
"Of course, fighting for the gold medal is my real line of business," she joked, "so maybe I like it better."
"Long Days" Ahead
After lunch, the Evaluation Commission will visit 13 sports venues (indoor volleyball, BMX, track cycling, gymnastics, swimming and diving, waterpolo, sailing, equestrian, sprint canoe and rowing, mountain bike, beach volleyball, triathlon and marathon swimming, tennis) as well as an office tower giving members a bird’s eye view of the pier proposed for the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
"We understand that these are long days," Takeda warned the IOC inspectors Monday morning.
"We will tell you everything we believe you need, as quickly as possible. And then answer your questions as clearly – and also quickly – as we can. If that means that sometimes we finish early, I hope you agree that this is a good thing."
Written and reported in Tokyo byEd Hula and Matthew Grayson
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