Tokyo 2016 ready to ride huge wave of enthusiasm for 2009 Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo, 26 September 2008 – The Tokyo 2016 Bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games expects to see Olympic enthusiasm climb to new heights in Japan as a result of the September 24 announcement that applications for the 2009 Tokyo Marathon have surpassed 261,000, a stunning increase of more than 70% over last year’s applications.

Interest and excitement for sport events, such as the 2009 Tokyo Marathon, have soared to an all time high in Japan in the wake of the spectacular Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The huge spike in enthusiasm for the marathon – scheduled to take place at the heart of Japan’s vibrant capital city on 22 March 2009 – is especially noteworthy because this is already a major event, having drawn some 12,000 volunteers and two million course spectators last year.

The marathon route passes through the proposed Olympic Park that will encompass most of Tokyo 2016’s planned venues, beginning at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in the Heritage Zone and finishing at the envisioned Olympic Stadium in the Tokyo Bay Zone.

Tokyo 2016 promises to deliver the most compact Olympic Games ever, with 95% of its venues within an eight km radius of the city centre, guaranteeing easy access and convenience for athletes and spectators alike. Tokyo 2016’s unique concept will integrate the Games into the heart and soul of daily life in Tokyo, truly uniting the city and the Games.

Dr Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:
“The Tokyo Marathon, like the Olympic Games, attracts the support of many, many millions of spectators and television viewers in Japan, where enthusiasm for sport is particularly passionate. Olympic fever is sweeping the country like never before, with Tokyo Marathon applications soaring to new heights in the same year that Tokyo 2016 was selected as Candidate City and Beijing hosted its spectacular 2008 Summer Games. There is a real sense of excitement as the Japanese people unite behind sport and Tokyo 2016 with the dream of experiencing the inspirational atmosphere of the world’s greatest sporting event.”

Of the 261,981 applicants to the 2009 Tokyo Marathon, 226,378 have applied for the full marathon whilst 35,603 have applied for the ten km race. A lottery draw will be held in November to choose the 30,000 full-marathon participants and the 5,000 10 km participants.
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For further information, please contact:
Mihoko Nakagawa (Ms), Director, International Communications, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, mihoko.nakagawa@tokyo2016.or.jp
Masa Takaya (Mr), Manager, International Communications, Tokyo 2016
+81-3-5320-2480, masanori.takaya@tokyo2016.or.jp