Japan - The land of the rising sun has been awarded the contract for the 2020 Olympic Games, making Tokyo the second time after 1964 that it will host the most prestigious sporting event in the world. The voting finale in Buenos Aires could not have been more exciting. In addition to Tokyo, there were also Madrid and Istanbul to choose from. The first round of voting clearly went to the Japanese metropolis. Tokyo received a superior 46 votes - Madrid and Istanbul each 26. So Madrid and Istanbul had to go to a second round, which Istanbul won. In the final decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, there was no chance. Tokyo won with 60:36 votes and was visibly happy with the decision.
There were enough doubts in advance. The IOC members expressed concern about the nuclear incidents in Fukushima and saw the security of the games in particular at risk. With an impressive presentation in which the concept was presented, the Japanese competitors were finally able to convince. Meanwhile, Tokyo's governor Naoki Inose announced the torch relay through the nuclear-contaminated area around Fukushima.
"The games are finally coming to Japan. I was a little worried, but this decision will give Japan a lot of hope"said Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
