A Tokyo 2020 delegation appeared in Moscow today ahead of the 14th IAAF World Championships, and made it clear that their bid for the 2020 Olympics is based on Japan’s real passion for sport, explaining that the “power of sport” is helping to change lives for the better in Japan.
IOC member and President of Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Olympic Committee Tsunekazu Takeda discussed the bid’s pioneering Athletics plan, with a focus on Japan’s new National Stadium. He promised that the state-of-the-art venue will provide an optimum atmosphere for athletes to perform at their best.
Takeda said, “with just four weeks to go until the IOC makes its decision on the host for the 2020 Games, I am more determined than ever to convey the importance that Japan places on sport, with a focus on the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect”. He also commented on the role that sport is playing in Japanese society in the recovery and rebuilding efforts since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
The new Kasumigaoka National Stadium will be Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium in 2020. Its located in the heart of the city and will be built on the site of the main Olympic Stadium for the Tokyo 1964 Games.
“Not only will the new stadium be an athlete-focused facility conveniently located just ten minutes from the Olympic Village, it will also be a beautiful venue with many practical, innovative features. It will be a fitting symbol of what we promise to deliver at the Tokyo 2020 Games”, Takeda said.
The stadium will be the first Olympic Main Stadium to feature a state-of-the-art retractable roof. Moveable seating will enable the facility to feature both a permanent running track and flexibility optimized configurations for other sports, such as Rugby and Football.
Construction of the new stadium begins in October 2015, regardless of the IOC’s decision on the 2020 Games. It will have a budget entirely guaranteed by the Japan Sport Council.
As a designated venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, it will be a fully proven facility in time for the 2020 Games.
Takeda added, “we are very conscious of how the environment helps athletes perform at their best. I’m certain athletes will find an ideal stage here in Moscow, just as I’m sure they will find it in Tokyo in 2020”.
