Copenhagen, Denmark, 2 October 2009 – Tokyo 2016 today went beyond offering the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the best technical Games in Olympic and Paralympic history, to promise a true legacy for the world if selected Host City for the 2016 Games.

Tokyo 2016 appealed to the IOC to choose a Games that will go beyond economic success or regional development, and instead give the youth of the world the courage to face the challenges ahead. As a clear sign of its commitment for world youth, a 15 year-old gymnast, Resa Mishina, opened the Tokyo 2016 presentation to the IOC.

Resa appealed to the IOC to choose a 2016 Host City that addresses the concerns of young people. She said:

“I’m a gymnast. Doing sport gives me hope. It gives me strength. And gives me the courage to face all sorts of challenges. While I’m not a head of state, I represent a group bigger than any nation: today’s youth. Your future Olympians. Or maybe not. I have friends all over the world. But not many are interested in sport like me. There are too many other distractions.

“When we talk about the future, we all agree that it’s pretty scary. Lots of things worry us. Like climate change and the environment. And issues of right and wrong, like the way society excludes some people, or the unfairness of doping in sport. So our worries are very much like yours. Which is why I’m here. If things continue as they are, I worry that there won’t be many people who want to play sport. There may not even be many places left to play sport.

“That’s why your decision on staging the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is so important. Please choose a city that addresses the concerns of young people like me. A city that demonstrates a commitment to our future. And a city that shares your commitment to sport and the future of the Olympic Movement. For 2016 and beyond.”


Chiharu Igaya, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, said:

“Today we face an important choice. Today, we decide which city will, in 2016, follow Vancouver, London and Sochi in charting the course of Olympism in the twenty-first century. Let us recall the goal of Olympism described in our Olympic Charter – to place sport at the service of a social mission: the harmonious development of humankind, a peaceful society and human dignity. So let us choose Games that go beyond economic success or regional development. That will give the youth of the world the courage to face the challenges ahead.”


Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, said:

“Today the Olympic Movement plays a vital role in building bridges between diverse civilizations. We are always excited to see the top athletes of the world challenge the limits of human capacity. Watching them, in our heart, a new flame is lit. That flame motivates us to question the limits we place upon ourselves and to believe that we really can make the world a better place. Such is the magic of the Olympic Games. Therefore, the Japanese people yearn for Tokyo to be at the heart of the enthusiasm and hope.

“The International Olympic Committee has played an important role in the development of the sport, culture and environment agenda as the essential missions of the Olympic Movement. I wholeheartedly support this vision. That is why I announced an ambitious goal for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, “25 % by 2020,” in my address to the United Nations General Assembly last week.

“That is also part of the reason why I am recommending Tokyo for the 2016 Olympic Games. Tokyo is indeed well positioned to serve as a future model of public safety and environmental sustainability. In Tokyo everyone will witness human endeavor thriving in harmony with nature. We might call it “fraternity between man and nature,” and I believe it will guide us forward. In hosting the 2016 Games, Tokyo will show the world how a major metropolis can flourish without detriment to the environment.”

Prime Minister Hatoyama also reaffirmed the national government’s full guarantees for the Tokyo 2016 Games. Tokyo 2016 has enjoyed full cross-party political support throughout its campaign.


Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, said:

“In 1964, I saw how the power of sport transformed Japan. And fifty years later, I still believe in the power of the Olympic Games. I believe in the power of sport. I want to offer our grandchildren the hope, the courage, and the power to face the future. That is why I want to propose a new Olympic Games for the twenty-first century.

Tokyo is creating a model for a new society – a society inspired by sport and your own Olympic Movement. And we will share our expertise with future host cities and the world.

“It is symbolic that you will choose the 2016 Host City here, the same venue as the COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference this December. Your decision today could be as significant as theirs.

“Through the power of sport – through the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – together we can encourage and inspire the next generation, across the world, in Japan, and in Tokyo, where our people live and breathe sport every day.”


Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, said:

“As Chair of Tokyo 2016, I appreciate the valuable advice you have given our team over the last three years. You have encouraged us by saying Tokyo has an outstanding plan. You told us that when Japanese people make a promise, we deliver. You have recognised that our ability to organise international events is unquestioned.

“At the same time, you have also encouraged us to show more passion. But we Japanese are not good at showing our emotions. One of you suggested we take a more Zen approach. Our words may be few. But they are full of spirit. We will deliver everything we say.”

Dr. Kono also reminded the IOC of Tokyo 2016’s total financial security, citing the national and Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s (TMG) full guarantees for the Tokyo 2016 Games, including a US$4 billion Hosting Reserve Fund that has already been secured by TMG to fully cover the cost of venue development.


Yuko Arakida, 1976 Olympic champion in Volleyball, Chair of the Olympic Council of Asia Athletes’ Commission and Vice-Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission, said:

“Our plans – for both venues and village – will come to life at the heart of the world’s most exciting city. Tokyo 2016 offers a compact 8-kilometre-radius Games area that includes nearly every competition venue. At the centre of our plan, right at the heart of the Games area, is the Athletes’ Village. The Village is not only close to training and competition venues, it also has easy access to the beach on the Pacific Ocean.

“They can also visit traditional palaces, world class restaurants, theatres and other cultural attractions. Athletes from every sport will be able to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of an Olympic city. As a member of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission, and Chair of the Olympic Council of Asia Athletes’ Committee, I am very proud to say that our plan is the best plan for athletes. The best for sport. And the best for the Games.”


Aki Taguchi, 2004 and 2008 Paralympic shooter, introduced blind five-time Paralympic champion swimmer, Junichi Kawai. Kawai said:

“All of us at Tokyo 2016 believe the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be a single, unified celebration of sport and culture. Indeed, the Olympic and Paralympic Games share the essence of sport: striving to exceed one’s own limits.

Tokyo’s city-centre Olympic facilities will also be used for the Paralympic Games. All venues, including the Village, will meet or exceed universal accessibility standards. For Tokyo 2016 it doesn’t matter which is more amazing: for an able-bodied sprinter to run the 100m in 9.58 seconds, or for an athlete amputee to run it in 10.91.
The important thing is to challenge and exceed your own limits. This is what I want to share with young people.

“I would like to end by saying this: With eyes in my heart, I can see a passionate crowd, cheering with all their might, and moved to tears in Tokyo 2016.”


Koji Murofushi, 2004 Olympic champion in Hammer Throw, said:

“I can’t wait for the Games to come to Tokyo! As an athlete, it would be my ultimate dream. The Tokyo 1964 games happened long before I was born. But their legacy lives on, with incredible venues in Tokyo. The Olympic legacy also lives on in our people. And as an Olympic Champion, I try to live the spirit of Olympism.”

“And now in Japan there is a whole new generation of youth; of athletes; of volunteers. Just look at the international Tokyo Marathon. It has thirty five thousand runners, cheered on by two million spectators, with thirteen thousand deeply committed volunteers. So regardless of race, religion or culture, Japan will welcome the world to our heart in 2016.

“We aim to set the stage for your heroes to exceed their best performances. We aim to help you to inspire the world’s youth to play sport – to develop healthy minds as well as healthy bodies – and to fall in love with the magic of your Games.”


Mikako Kotani, 1988 Olympic medallist in Synchronised Swimming and Chair of the Tokyo 2016 Athletes’ Commission, said:

“The reason I believe so strongly in our bid isn’t because I’m Japanese, or because I love Tokyo. It’s because of “peak experiences” – those shining moments when everything goes just right. Moments when an athlete achieves a physical and mental peak that leads to a super performance. A performance that moves the audience to tears – that gives them goose bumps.

“When that happens, an athlete feels happy and grateful just to be alive. I was fortunate to know such moments as a synchronised swimmer. I believe so strongly in this bid because I believe Tokyo 2016 is setting the stage for every athlete to experience such moments. Outstanding facilities…A city that’s safe, vibrant and lots of fun. A city of warm, hospitable people who are passionate about sport. Tokyo is setting the stage for every athlete’s peak performance and peak experience.

“As Olympians and Paralympians, we know the Games should be held in the city that offers the best stage for athletes. I can honestly say and promise to you: “That’s our Tokyo.”


The President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda, offered International Federations and National Olympic Committees as series of said:

“As President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, I am proud of Tokyo’s plan. It reflects the ideas of world-class athletes. And it represents a close collaboration between the City of Tokyo and the JOC. Tokyo 2016 will be a Games by Olympians, for Olympians. I am confident that these Games – Olympic and Paralympic – will set the stage for heroic performances by the finest athletes in the world.

“I offer you, the Olympic Family, my solemn commitment: a commitment to work under your leadership to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that demonstrate the power of sport to foster positive change. Games that will give the youth of the world the courage to face their future. Games that will bring a new generation to the Olympic Movement.”


Shun-ichiro Okano, IOC Member for Japan, said:

“Tokyo 2016 proposes to work closely with the IOC to meet the aims of the Olympic Charter. We have proposed a new Olympic and Paralympic Games for Resa, and her generation around the world. Sport is my life. The Tokyo Olympic Games is my dream, and your support is my final Olympic wish.”

Tokyo 2016 offers the most compact Games plan in Olympic and Paralympic history, with 97 percent of competition venues within an 8km radius of the Olympic Stadium and Athletes’ Village, right in the heart of Tokyo. 70 percent of athletes can reach their venues inside 10 minutes, ensuring Tokyo 2016 will be the most athlete-focused Games ever staged, allowing athletes to reach their peak.