2020 Olympic Summer Games: Decision In 6 Days

Above, Harajuku Station, part of one of the best city transit systems in the world.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo residents are getting behind (for the most part) the city's bid to host the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

According to JapanToday:

TOKYO —Tokyo knows better than most how an Olympic Games can rebrand a city. It did it once already at the 1964 Games, shaking off a war-ravaged reputation and showing a modern face to the world. 

Fifty years later, Japan’s capital now wants to show that it is back, showcasing a new energy and dynamism after two lost decades, by hosting the 2020 Games. 

As the clock ticks down to choosing the host city and the government touts the games as everything from more stimulus for an economy tiptoeing back from economic stagnation to the final step of recovery from 2011 disasters, once reluctant Tokyo residents are finally coming around to support them as well.

Some bookmakers have given Tokyo an edge, and property firms are eagerly hoping for victory over rivals Istanbul and Madrid on Sept 7, when the decision is made. Builders, hotels and restaurants would gain as well, with a range of other businesses also betting the positive attention will boost investment.

Some are worried about traffic and other problems. But I remember how well things went in Los Angeles when it hosted the 1984 Games. Businesses and government entities worked in close coordination with the organizing committee and traffic problems were virtually non-existent. Los Angeles put on its best face and people still have glowing memories of that week.

Traffic really won't be a problem as Tokyo has one of the best transit systems in the world.

We'll see in six days whether or not Tokyo is to host the 2020 Games.

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