Tokyo and the southeastern city of Fukuoka have submitted rival bids to the host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Japan Olympic Committee announced Friday.
The committee announced on Aug. 30 which city will win its backing as Japan’s official bid, according to national broadcaster NHK.
Tokyo, which hosted the Summer Games in 1964, is billing itself as the “compact” choice, promising to provide facilities for 26 of 28 games within a 10 kilometer radius (6 miles) of downtown. Fukuoka, the biggest city on Japan’s southeastern island of Kyushu, is planning to center its Olympic facilities at three sites around town.
JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda said in a statement the committee will base its decision on each city’s theme, facilities and management capabilities with an eye toward picking a city that will be a competitive international bid.
Brazil, Spain, the United States and India are, along with Japan, among the potential host nations for the Games. The International Olympic Committee will make the final pick in July, 2009. (AP)
June 30, 2006
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