Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016 Bid Committee, makes a presentation during the 37th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees in Istanbul, Turkey. The International Olympic Committee will announce the 2016 host city on Oct. 2 in Copenhagen. --PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOKYO - TOKYO'S 2016 Olympic bid has been given a boost after the city's proposed venues for the Games were approved by the 26 participating international sports bodies.
'We are pleased to have developed a plan that suits their needs,' Tokyo bid committee sports director Toru Hirakata said in a statement.
'The quick approval process reflects the exacting nature of Tokyo's technical plan.'
The 26 federations have given the thumbs-up on operational and logistical aspects for each of Tokyo's venues, according to Japanese officials.
Tokyo, which staged Asia's first Olympics in 1964, faces competition from Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro in the race to host the 2016 Summer Games.
Many facilities used in 1964 would be renovated and used should Tokyo win. The city's waterfront bid topped the IOC's overall technical evaluation last June.
The International Olympic Committee will announce the 2016 host city on Oct. 2 in Copenhagen. London stages the next Summer Olympics in 2012. -- REUTERS
