The International Olympic Committee announced that Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games, bringing great cause for celebration to Japan.
Voting took place in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Tokyo led initially with 42 votes in the first round, while Istanbul and Madrid tied for second with 26 votes each. Istanbul then defeated Madrid in a close tiebreaker. In the final round of voting, Tokyo decidedly won with 60 votes to Istanbul’s 36, according to CNN.
Bid leader and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda made the winning argument that “Tokyo can be trusted to be the safe pair of hands and much more. Our case today is simple. Vote for Tokyo and you vote for guaranteed delivery...Tokyo is the right partner at the right time,” reports CBS News.
However, Japan's victory represents more than merely a “safe” choice. The country suffered a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011, which led to a meltdown at nuclear plants in Fukushima. As Japan still recovers and faces the challenge of cleaning up astoundingly high levels of radiation leakage, the decision brings tears to the eyes of many Japanese citizens.
“By hosting the 2020 Tokyo Games, we will create hope," Tokyo govenor Naoki Inose said, according to USA Today.
Tokyo, which previously hosted the 1964 Summer Games, has a planned budget of $4.38 million dollars for the Games.