A swimming and running race and a walking event to view venues related to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were held Saturday to promote Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Games ahead of the crucial vote Sept. 7 in Buenos Aires.
About 200 people competed in the event dubbed "Aquathlon Organized by the Japan Triathlon Union," swimming in Tokyo Bay near the Odaiba waterfront are and running on a beach.
The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee sees the Odaiba area as a candidate site for the triathlon and beach volleyball if Tokyo is awarded the 2020 Olympics.
Around 300 people meanwhile strolled from National Stadium in Shinjuku Ward to Komazawa Olympic Park in Setagaya Ward.
The opening ceremony for the 1964 games was held in National Stadium, while Komazawa hosted events such as wrestling.
Tokyo is one of three remaining cities in the running to host the 2020 Summer Games, along with Istanbul and Madrid.
Takeda feeling the heat
Kyodo
BUENOS AIRES
Tsunekazu Takeda, chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bid Committee, admitted feeling the tension Friday when he arrived in Buenos Aires ahead of the International Olympic Committee session that will decide the host city.
"We've finally come to the place of decision, and with it has come a sense of high tension," Takeda said. "I will do everything in my power to meet the expectations of Japan's citizens."
Tokyo is facing off against Istanbul and Madrid. Although some observers believe Tokyo is the frontrunner, Takeda downplayed this notion.
"I don't think we have any advantage," he said. "I think we're all at the same line.
"Until the very end, I will exert every effort to help as many IOC members as possible understand our plan," he said.