Tokyo 2016 bid officials joined media from about 100 nations at the annual International Sports Press Association’s (AIPS) Congress in Beijing May 21-24. In a press release the bid committee says it wants to absorb the Olympic spirit and fine-tune its own bid as it prepares for the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
According to the press release the three Tokyo 2016 bid officials will learn about the Olympic media experience from respected sports journalists from around the world as well as benefit from exposure to best practice examples presented by the hosts of the Congress, the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee and the China Sports Press Association.
Tokyo 2016 says its bid has already focused on ensuring the provision of media facilities “that are not only world-class, but designed to be easily accessible throughout the duration of the Games. Tokyo 2016 will provide quick access with an average travel time of just four minutes from each media hub to the Olympic Stadium, ten minutes to the Olympic Village and 20 minutes to all other competition venues. Using innovative, high-speed, high-volume, fibre-optic technology, media hubs and competition venues will be connected to ensure the delivery of media coverage around-the-clock”.
Deputy Director General Yasuhiro Nakamori said, “the bid recognizes that the media are a vital part of the Olympic Games and we are delighted to have the opportunity to listen to some of the world’s most prominent sports journalists and communication professionals at the AIPS Congress. We will learn best practice from those in the industry and leave with a greater understanding of the media’s needs in relation to the reporting of the Olympic Games. If the Tokyo 2016 bid is successful, delivering a world-class, media-friendly Games is critical for us to achieve our aims and showcase what makes Tokyo such a unique and hospitable place to visit”.