Olympics: Tokyo organizers lauded for 'diligent' Olympic example
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[November 29, 2018]
By Jack Tarrant
TOKYO (Reuters) - The "diligent"
preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games are
setting a fine example for future bids, according to International
Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
Speaking at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC)
General Assembly in Tokyo on Thursday, Bach praised his hosts
following their presentation to delegates.
"For everything, there are solutions and there are solutions already
underway," the German said during his keynote speech. "The
facilities are ready or will be ready in time. You will experience
great test events next year.
"Tokyo is really an example for a diligent preparation for an
Olympic Games and I would like to thank and to congratulate our
friends from the Tokyo organizing committee once more."
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During this week's visit to Japan, which included trips to Fukushima
with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Tokyo 2020 offices and
venues, Bach has lavished praise on the hosts of the next Summer
Games that start in July, 2020.
With concerns over candidate cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics,
the recent Russian doping scandal and a controversial election of a
new chief overseeing amateur boxing, Bach will be pleased at the
stability provided by Tokyo's solid progress.
During his presentation to the General Assembly, Tokyo 2020
organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto said the focus of the Games
would be on a "soft legacy".
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![](../images/112918pics/sports49.jpg)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach poses
for a group photo session with Yoshiro Mori, President of Tokyo 2020
Olympic Committee, and other staff members during a meeting in
Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo November 28, 2018. Mandatory
credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
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"The 1964 Games (in Tokyo) transformed the city with new
infrastructure, such as the shinkansen (bullet train) and the
metropolitan expressway having boosted economic development in
Japan," he explained.
"For the 2020 Games, we would like to put a particular focus on soft
legacy rather than hard legacy. The Games will bring about a social
change and create a truly inclusive society for everyone.
"The Tokyo 2020 Games will be long remembered as a catalyst of the
biggest social transformation for Tokyo and Japan in this era."
(Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Editing by John O'Brien)
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