Tokyo Keeps Gymnastics Worlds, Bolsters Olympics Ambitions

5/23/2011

(ATR) The Japanese Olympic Committee tells Around the Rings it welcomes the "bold decision" by the International Gymnastics Federation to keep Tokyo as host of the world champs and hints that it may strengthen Japan’s resolve to bid for the 2020 Olympics.

The March 11 quake and tsunami that triggered a nuclear crisis had cast doubt on the city's staging of the artistic gymnastics world champs.

But the FIG Council met Sunday in San Jose, California and reaffirmed that the event would take place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium Oct. 7 to 16. FIG president Bruno Grandi said the decision was made after consideration of the health of its gymnasts and delegations travelling to Tokyo.

A JOC spokesman told ATR that officials from the NOC and Japanese gymnastics federation together with leaders from the Japanese government and Tokyo governors' office had issues fresh assurances about the event at yesterday's FIG Council meeting.

"To contribute to world sports through world competitions is very important in Japan especially for the recovering the northern part of afflicted people," the JOC spokesman said.

"JOC will make the best effort in inviting world competitions with the national sports federations."

Hidenori Futagi, president of the Japanese Gymnastics Association, was at the San Jose meeting and, according to a FIG statement, said the decision was "a moving gesture of solidarity and encouragement for the Japanese people as a whole; a decision worthy of the international gymnastics family".

The FIG's decision came on the same day that the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) confirmed that the men's and women's volleyball World Cups would go ahead on schedule in Japan in November and December, although quake-hit Sendai will no longer host some of the games. They double as London Olympics qualifiers.

On Saturday, the FIVB also said it was safe to host women's World Grand Prix matches in Japan in August.

Japan has mounted a major PR offensive amid the safety concerns that arose over its event hosting capabilities following the earthquake. Several events were cancelled or moved including figure skating's world champs which went to Moscow, while others such as the Yokohama leg of the triathlon world champs series were rescheduled.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave another boost to Japan Monday when he said it was safe to hold the Club World Cup in Japan as scheduled in December.

Tokyo Waits on 2020 Bid Decision

The JOC spokesman confirmed that the City of Hiroshima had dissolved its bidding committee for the 2020 Olympics Sunday. The withdrawal of Hiroshima's candidacy to represent Japan in the bid race is reportedly down to a lack of funds and support from the city's mayor, Kazumi Matsui, and municipalities.

Japan's Olympic ambitions now rest with Tokyo should it decide to mount a bid for the Games following its 2016 disappointment.

The JOC spokesman said a decision on a bid would be made by the middle of July.

That decision hinges on whether Korea's PyeongChang succeeds in its efforts to secure the 2018 Winter Olympics. A victory for the South Korean city would rule out another Asian country winning 2020. The IOC votes on the 2018 host city in Durban on July 6.

Written by Mark Bisson

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