According to a Tokyo 2016 press release, the bid committee finalized its venue plans for its bid at a Tokyo 2016 Executive Board meeting, that shows a most compact Olympic and Paralympic Games ever.
Under the plans the Marathon course will begin at Kasumigaoka National Stadium and finish at the 2016 Olympic Stadium, uniting the legacy of the 1964 Olympics with Tokyo 2016. During the race the athletes will complete a three-lap course, giving spectators the opportunity to see the athletes three times to ensure efficient management of event officials and making it easier for athletes to plan their race strategy.
Athletes at a Tokyo 2016 Games will benefit from having nearly every training facility within 30 minutes of the Olympic Village and competition venues. They will also “enjoy” the close proximity of the Tokyo 2016 track cycling venue, the Ohi Velodrome, to the Olympic Village.
The venue plan includes the Aquatics Venue at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Centre that was originally designated a temporary venue, will now be permanent, leaving an Aquatics legacy for future generations.
The Tokyo 2016 Ohi Velodrome, track cycling venue will now be located at the Sports Forest of Ohifuto-Chuo-Kaihin Park – which, according to the bid committee, is significantly closer to the Olympic Village and other Games venues following venue plans enhancements.
Tokyo 2016 executive board members also decided on the official International Olympic Committee (IOC) hotels for the Games. They will be the Hotel Okura Tokyo, the ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo and the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Tokyo 2016 executive board members confirmed their decision to hold all Paralympic events at Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games venues. The Paralympic Games would be hosted over 13 rather than 12 days, August 30 to September 11, 2016.
Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016 said, “I am delighted that we have finalized our venue plans. Today’s decision will ensure that Tokyo 2016 hosts the most compact Olympic and Paralympic Games ever in 2016. The new developments in our plan are very exciting, especially the plans to ensure that legacy is at the heart of the Tokyo 2016’s plans by ensuring there is a permanent Aquatics legacy and by uniting the 1964 legacy with Tokyo 2016 through the Marathon route”.
