The International Olympic Committee has chosen the location of the 2020 Summer Games – and the winner is Tokyo.
CNN reports that there were two other options in consideration – Madrid and Istanbul – but the committee settled on Tokyo in a vote on Saturday.
With the Fukushima nuclear plant leaking radiation following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assured the committee that there would be sufficient cleanup before the Games. "A safe and secure Olympic Games will be staged by us - I think that was another hope for their support. I would like to pledge that we will be discharging this responsibility."
The Prime Minister also commented about how the Games will benefit Japan. "Sport has the power to unite people," Abe said. "We experienced that after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, when athletes came to our country and helped us. Japan needs the power of sport, we need hopes and dreams."
According to the Los Angeles Times, Madrid would have been the best option from an economical standpoint, but lost in a close tie-breaker in the first round. Istanbul would have significantly helped out Turkey and led to more Olympic interest from the Islamic community, but lost in a 60-36 vote in the second round.
"In the end it was Tokyo's bid that resonated the most with the IOC membership," announced President Jacques Rogge, and he anticipates "a well-organized and safe Games."
Tokyo is a repeat host - the Summer Games were held in Tokyo in 1964. Russia will host the Winter Olympics in 2014 and South Korea in 2018. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Brazil.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons