After Istanbul and Madrid, third and final part of our overview of candidate cities for the 2020 Summer Games: Tokyo. The Japanese city, narrowly beaten by Rio four years earlier, undoubtedly has the strongest case. But sometimes it takes more to prevail...
Economy – Certainly one of the key assets in the Tokyo game. At the IOC, no one doubts the capacity of the Japanese economy to bear the cost of the Games. At the start of the year, the bid team assured that it already had 3,4 billion euros in the bank, a jackpot intended for the construction and/or renovation of competition venues. Tokyo has its fill of partners. And obtained from the public authorities the guarantee of funding commensurate with the event.
Leaders – The Japanese candidacy respects tradition. It is worn by Tsunekazu Takeda, the president of the national Olympic committee, an essential figure in the country, since he is both a member of the IOC (since last summer) and… grandson of Emperor Meiji. At his side, one of the figures of Asian sports business: Masato Mizuno, the former boss of the group of the same name, a global sports equipment giant. Finally, proof of the very political orientation of this candidacy, the presence within the council, as special advisors, of two former prime ministers: Taro Aso and Yukio Hatoyama.
Symbolic – Tokyo has not hosted the Olympic Games since 1964, when the Japanese capital became the first Asian city to host the Summer Games. Hosting the event a second time, 56 years later, is part of a certain historical logic. Another argument: granting the Games to Japan, 9 years after the Fukushima disaster, would help to participate in the reconstruction of the country. A double-edged sword because the nuclear threat has not entirely disappeared.
Support – The figures leave little room for doubt: the Japanese public wants the 2020 Games. Popular support whose curve continues to climb. Last May, an IOC survey revealed that only 47% of Tokyo residents viewed this candidacy favorably. In October, 67% said they were in favor. In the meantime, the London Games revealed the brilliant health of Japanese sport, evidenced by the record total of 38 Olympic medals.
Past – The shared history of Japan and the Summer Games has never been simple. Tokyo had obtained the organization of the 1940 Summer Games, but the Second World War buried the event. In 1960, the Japanese capital lost to Rome, before winning for the 1964 Games. Long considered a favorite in the race for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Tokyo lost to Rio. His candidacy for 2020 is the 5thrd Of the history.
Geographical alternation – A stone in the shoe of the Japanese. Granting the Games to Japan two years after the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, would go against the unwritten but often verified rule of the alternation of continents. It will take a lot of persuasion from the Japanese, and skillful lobbying, to overturn this argument.
weaknesses – First of all, the alternation of continents. Second, the “Fukushima effect”, a double-edged sword whose consequences remain difficult to judge. Third, the Sino-Japanese conflict in the China Sea, which could cost Tokyo 2020 a few votes. Finally, a less concrete but far from trivial weak point: the Japanese are struggling to get their campaign off the ground. However, they have a formidable record.
The opinion of FrancsJeux – Tokyo has long been in the lead. But his lead over Istanbul melted like snow in the sun. A few weeks before the evaluation commission's visit to the candidate cities, Japan remains favorite... tied with Istanbul and Turkey. By choosing Tokyo, the IOC would be playing the wisdom card. Budget, transport, infrastructure, political stability, experience... There is no shortage of Japanese assets. But they still have to find that little extra, that spark that often makes the difference.
