Tokyo Will Host The 2020 Summer Olympics, Beating Out Istanbul : The Two-Way : NPR Tokyo Will Host The 2020 Summer Olympics, Beating Out Istanbul Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games, IOC officials said Saturday. In Tokyo, five-time Paralympian Wakako Tsuchida, left, and former Olympic athletes Hiromi Miyake, center, and Yoshiyuki Miyake cheer the news. Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games, IOC officials said Saturday. In Tokyo, five-time Paralympian Wakako Tsuchida, left, and former Olympic athletes Hiromi Miyake, center, and Yoshiyuki Miyake cheer the news. Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images It will be Tokyo, not Istanbul or Madrid, who hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and its president, Jacques Rogge, announced in Buenos Aires Saturday. Rival city Madrid was eliminated in the first round of voting. We have updated this post with the latest news. Update at 4:55 p.m.

ET: Voting Tally Detailed Madrid and Istanbul had been tied after the first round with 26 votes each, according to the Games Bids site . After Istanbul was chosen over Madrid in a runoff, Tokyo won 60 votes in the third round, to Istanbul's 36. Update at 4:20 p.m. ET: Tokyo Is It Tokyo has been chosen to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, the IOC said in an announcement that was streamed live online Saturday afternoon. In selecting Tokyo, IOC officials ended a recent trend that had favored holding the Olympics in cities or regions that haven't previously hosted the games. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964; the Winter Games were held in Nagano in 1998. But Tokyo officials also promoted their city's bid as symbolizing a new chapter for Japan, which is still recuperating from the tsunami and earthquake that devastated swaths of the country in 2011. Organizers have said they plan to have Olympic torchbearers run through areas hit by the tsunami. Article continues after sponsorship After the initial round of voting, Istanbul won a runoff over Madrid, leaving Tokyo firmly in the favored spot.

The final announcement came as a striking turnabout for the Turkish delegation, which had earlier believed it had won not just the runoff vote but the competition itself, reports the Inside the Games website. Our original post continues: Officials from the three cities made their final pitches today. We'll update this post with the news of the winning city. We expect the announcement just after 4 p.m. ET. As of earlier this week, oddsmakers saw Tokyo as a slight favorite to win. All of the finalists have submitted recent bids to host the Olympics. And all three were widely seen as having flaws that endanger their chances: Istanbul saw a crackdown on anti-government protesters in June; last month, 31 Turkish athletes were suspended for doping. And worries over regional crises may play a role. Tokyo officials have sought to reassure Olympic representatives that their venue is free from any ill effects from recent radioactive leaks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Madrid has pursued its bid under the cloud of Spain's ailing economy and high unemployment rate, as well as its own doping problems. Turkish officials had hoped to bring the 2020 Olympics to Istanbul. Here, the city's Hagia Sophia Museum is seen in the background, with Sultan Ahmed Square in the foreground.

AP hide caption toggle caption AP Turkish officials had hoped to bring the 2020 Olympics to Istanbul. Here, the city's Hagia Sophia Museum is seen in the background, with Sultan Ahmed Square in the foreground. AP Bids from the cities of Baku, Azerbaijan, and Doha, Qatar, were not selected for the final round. In coming days, the IOC meetings will also produce the final list of sports that will be part of the 2020 Games. Wrestling, squash, and a combined bid from baseball and softball are in contention for one remaining slot. And IOC officials will also select a new president to replace the outgoing Jacques Rogge. Tokyo gets 2020 Games with help from prime minister Tokyo gets 2020 Games with help from prime minister Ossian Shine Share View photos Jacques Rogge President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games during a ceremony in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013.

REUTERS/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool More By Ossian Shine BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Olympic Games on Saturday, beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a charismatic plea to the International Olympic Committee and promised Japan's crippled nuclear plant was "under control." The Japanese capital won what one insider had called a "least-ugly" contest by most effectively covering its blemishes. Rival Madrid has been laid low by the economy and Istanbul has been beset by anti-government protests. Tokyo won by a landslide, 60 votes to Istanbul's 36, after Madrid was eliminated in a first round of voting. Abe, who left early from a Group of 20 summit in Russia to make his pitch at the meeting in Buenos Aires, promised the roughly 100 members of the International Olympic Committee that concerns about the leaking Fukushima nuclear plant 140 miles from Tokyo were unfounded. Fixing IOC members with a level gaze, he said: "It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.

There are no health-related problems until now, and nor will there be in the future - I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way." The plant's operator has said hundreds of tonnes of radioactive water are pouring into the Pacific Ocean each day, and radiation levels have spiked. Abe's government said this week it would spend almost half a billion dollars to try to fix the water crisis. He told the IOC on Saturday, "Let me assure you the situation is under control." 'SAFE PAIR OF HANDS' Tokyo won the right to stage the sporting extravaganza for the second time, having hosted in 1964 when the Games first went to Asia. On that occasion, Abe's grandfather, Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, led the bid to bring the Games to Japan. Tokyo in its pitch highlighted its solid finances and strong track record of delivering on promises. Olympic President Jacques Rogge described its as "a safe pair of hands." The next summer Olympics will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and the preparations for that Games have been plagued by delays and complications.

Moreover, the Tokyo bid capitalizes on the potential of the Asian continent, with its increasingly consumer-focused economies. Winning the Games was an enormous prize after two years of intense lobbying and tens of millions of dollars spent, and Abe was thrilled. "I would like to thank everyone in the Olympic movement and we will host wonderful Olympic Games," a beaming Abe told Reuters seconds after the result. Bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda was in tears as he said, "It is a great honor that Tokyo has been chosen. For Istanbul, it was its fifth unsuccessful bid in the last six votes to host a summer Olympics. The city had pitched itself as a new region for the Games, the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and as a vehicle to help foster peace in the Middle East. But the conflict in neighboring Syria and recent anti-government demonstrations in Turkey overshadowed the bid. Istanbul bid sports director Alp Berker was searching for a reason for rejection as he told Reuters, "I don't know. ...

there are too many variables, maybe it's the timing, maybe it's something else." When asked if the Syrian crisis had damaged their chances, he said: "We tried to tell them it was not the case, because it's a global issue. Really, I don't know what the members are thinking when they're pushing the button." IOC vice-president and presidential candidate Thomas Bach described the decision as new versus old. "I think it is an election between a traditional candidature and new grounds, and today it was the traditional candidature that won," he told Reuters. BOOST FOR ABE Madrid, which had pitched a safe, affordable, "sensible" bid, was eliminated in a secret vote pitting it against Istanbul after the two cities tied behind Tokyo. Madrid's attempt to host 2020 was its third consecutive try. Tokyo is planning to incorporate existing venues and has estimated a non-Games budget of about $4.4 billion, compared with $3.4 billion for the actual event. It already has a war-chest of some $4.5 billion in the bank. The victory is expected to boost Abe's popularity, and could potentially spur his signature pro-growth policies for the world's third-biggest economy.

A successful Tokyo bid should boost confidence as well as spur construction and tourism. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, Karolos Grohmann and Rex Gowar; Editing by Mitch Phillips, Peter Henderson and Peter Cooney) Reblog Tokyo to Host 2020 Summer Olympics Tokyo to Host 2020 Summer Olympics September 07, 2013 3:33 PM VOA News Tokyo 2020 delegation celebrates as city is awarded Summer Games during 125th IOC session, Buenos Aires, Sept. 7, 2013. Share See comments Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics in 2020, after beating Istanbul and Madrid in the final push for the coveted honor. The Japanese capital last hosted the Games in 1964. Madrid was eliminated Saturday in the first round of voting by the International Olympics Committee after final presentations in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires. Istanbul fell in the next round. The race was tight, with all three cities carrying major risks. Civil war in Turkey's neighbor Syria presented concerns for Istanbul's bid, while Madrid is weighed down by financial troubles. The Japanese capital faced concerns about the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.

Hosting the Olympics could be a huge boost for Tokyo. The honor brings in massive amounts of tourism revenue and creates an opportunity for a prominent place on the world stage. All three finalists had made Olympic bids before. This was the fifth for Istanbul, the third in a row for Madrid and the second in a row for Tokyo. Top officials from each country joined the final presentations to better each city's chances of hosting the world's largest sporting event. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his counterparts Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Mariano Rajoy of Spain flew to Buenos Aires straight from the just-concluded G20 summit in Russia. The next summer Olympics will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Tokyo to host 2020 Olympics | The Seattle Times Tokyo to host 2020 Olympics Originally published September 7, 2013 at 10:14 pm Updated September 8, 2013 at 12:16 am Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with arms raised highest, of Japan celebrates with the delegation Saturday as Tokyo is awarded the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Share story Olympics Tokyo gets 2020 Games Cheers and shouts of “Banzai!” echoed across Tokyo shortly after sunrise as thousands of people started celebrating the city’s successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, beating rivals Istanbul, Turkey, and Madrid, Spain, despite concerns about a nuclear plant leaking radioactive water. A slight favorite ahead of the International Olympic Committee’s vote in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Japan’s largest city defeated Istanbul 60-36 in the final round Saturday. Madrid was eliminated in the first round. Most Read Stories Unlimited Digital Access. $1 for 4 weeks. More than 1,200 dignitaries and Olympic athletes crammed into a convention hall in downtown Tokyo at 5 a.m. local time Sunday to usher in the start of the buildup for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Shouts of “Banzai” — a Japanese celebratory expression after big victories — filled the hall when the winning bid was confirmed. “This is a credit to the efforts of the entire nation,” said bid ambassador Saori Yoshida, a three-time gold medalist in women’s wrestling.

“The chance to see the highest level of sport live is a great chance for everyone and, as an Olympic athlete, I’m thrilled.” Tokyo, which promoted its bid as the reliable choice at a time of global political and economic uncertainty, had been on the defensive in the final days of the campaign because of mounting concerns over the leak of radioactive water from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. In the final presentation before the vote, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave the IOC assurances the Fukushima leak was not a threat to Tokyo and took personal responsibility for keeping the Games safe. After the final vote, Abe said the victory made him more emotional than his own election as prime minister, saying it had greater significance for the Japanese people. “IOC members gave a great opportunity to us all,” Abe said. “It means we will have hopes and dreams for the future.” Tokyo previously hosted the Olympics in 1964. Golf Langer leads by 3 German Bernhard Langer shot a 5-under-par 67 in windy and rainy conditions to open a three-stroke lead in the 50-and-older Champions Tour’s Montreal Championship in Sainte-Julie, Quebec. Langer was at 6-under 138 after two rounds.

Kenny Perry (71) was among five players tied for second place. “I hit a lot of fairways, which helps me control my distance with my irons,” Langer said. “It’s a lot easier from the fairway than from the rough. I putted pretty nicely, too. I had a lot of speed on my putts, gave myself a lot of chances with the putts. “I was a bit unlucky on some occasions but overall I was very pleased.” Kirk Triplett (67), a graduate of Pullman High, was tied for 17th place at even par. Rick Fehr (77) of Seattle was tied for 75th at 11 over. U.S. team has fast start NCAA champion Max Homa of California beat Englishman Max Orrin 5 and 3 and the United States won the first six singles matches in the Walker Cup to take an 8-4 lead over Britain and Ireland at National Golf Links of America in Southampton, N.Y. The biennial amateur event, first played in 1922 at National Golf Links, will end Sunday. The United States leads the series 34-8-1.

WNBA Indiana makes playoffs Tamika Catchings scored 15 points to help defending champion Indiana beat visiting Connecticut 69-60, clinching a berth in the playoffs for the ninth year in a row. Catchings added six rebounds and four steals for the Fever, which is coached by ex-Storm coach Lin Dunn. Kelsey Griffin had 14 points and seven rebounds for the Sun, which lost for the eighth time in its last nine games. The top four teams in each conference advance to the playoffs. Chicago (21-9) has clinched first place in the Eastern Conference and Atlanta (17-13) is second. Indiana (15-16) is in third place in the East. ELSEWHERE • Hall of Famer Brett Hull, who has scored the most career goals for the NHL St. Louis Blues, is rejoining the organization in the front office. Hull, 49, won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars and has been an executive with that franchise. He scored 527 of his 741 NHL goals for St. Louis.

• Departing ($2.60 to win) dominated the $490,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, beating runner-up Ruler of Love by 4 lengths in the Grade II horse race. Departing, a gelding trained by Al Stall Jr. and ridden by Robby Albarado, ran 11 / 8 miles in 1 minute, 50.08 seconds. Departing and Ruler of Love also finished 1-2 in the Grade II West Virginia Derby on Aug. 3. • Cannondale cyclist Daniele Ratto of Italy won the 14th stage of the Spanish Vuelta and countryman V incenzo Nibali of the Astana team kept the overall lead. Seattle Times news services Tokyo to host 2020 Olympic Games - CNN.com Tokyo to host 2020 Olympic Games By CNN Staff Updated 8:15 PM ET, Sat September 7, 2013 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – IIn 2013 then IOC president Jacques Rogge announced the winner of the bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games following the vote in Buenos Aires. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Tokyo joined the ranks of multiple host cities, having staged the sporting showpiece in 1964. Here former Olympic athletes Hiromi Miyake (C) and Yoshiyuki Miyake (R) cheer the announcement back in Japan. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Octogenarian "Olympic superfan" Naotoshi Yamada (L) and former Japanese tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka (R) were among those to cheer the announcement in the early hours in Tokyo.

Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took time out from the G20 meeting in Russia to lead Japan's presentation, downplaying fears over radiation leakage at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Abe is congratulated by IOC president Jacques Rogge (left) who was standing down after 12 years in the role. The 71-year-old was succeeded by Thomas Bach. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Istanbul had hopes of winning the right to host the Summer Games for the first time after beating Madrid in the first round of voting to force a runoff with Tokyo. However, it then lost 60-36 in the decider.

Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – Spain's Prince Felipe, president of the Madrid 2020 bid committee Alejandro Blanco and IOC executive committee member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. had hoped it would be third time lucky for the city's chances. Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Tokyo to host 2020 Games Tokyo to host 2020 Games – But Madrid lost 49-45 to the Turkish city in the first round runoff after a 26-26 tie in the initial vote, which Tokyo won with 42. Hide Caption Celebrations in Japan after winning 2020 vote Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expresses his joy at IOC decision Japan is still battling image of Fukushima disaster Istanbul would have been first Muslim country to host the Olympic Games Tokyo has been chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2020 Summer Games. In voting Saturday in Buenos Aires, the committee picked Tokyo over the two other contenders, Madrid and Istanbul. The announcement came at 5:20 a.m. Tokyo time, but a large crowd watching on an outdoor video screen burst into cheers.

Tokyo previously hosted the Summer Games in 1964. Japan's bid for 2020 billed the city as the safe choice -- despite radiation leaking from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe personally made a presentation to the committee and promised an effective cleanup. "I am so happy, I am overjoyed," Abe told reporters at the post-announcement press conference. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Brazil unveils Olympic park vision 00:34 "I would like to share this joy with the people back home. We've received so much support from the people of the IOC and I would also like to express my support to them. And to the people around the world. Read: 2020 Olympics - the contenders "A safe and secure Olympic Games will be staged by us -- I think that was another hope for their support. I would like to pledge that we will be discharging this responsibility." Abe said Tokyo would try to stage a successful Games to thank the world for its support after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan. "Sport has the power to unite people," he said.

"We experienced that after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, when athletes came to our country and helped us. Japan needs the power of sport, we need hopes and dreams." Abe said Tokyo's 1964 Olympics had left a strong impression on him as a child. "I was only 10 years old but a lot of kids like me were fascinated. Like many children I dreamed of winning a medal. It was a celebration giving hopes and dreams," he said. "The joy (of winning the 2020 vote) was even greater than when I won my own election." Tokyo's bid came in at $5 billion to $6 billion, compared to $19 billion pledged by Istanbul, said Ed Hula, editor and founder of aroundtherings.com, which covers the business and politics of the Olympic movement. But Tokyo's government has already amassed a $4.9 billion Olympic fund to pay to prepare for the Games, Hula said. And a $1 billion national stadium that will be used for the athletic events and the Opening Ceremonies will already have been built for the rugby World Cup in 2017 and is not considered an Olympic expense.

Turkey would have been the first Muslim country to host the Games, and with a median age of less than 30 years, one of the youngest. However, it missed out for the fifth time. Istanbul would have been "a more emotional choice," Hula said. But its huge bid would have been needed to fund infrastructure improvements, including modernization of its transportation system. Turkey's border with Syria also might have troubled some committee members, he said. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Istanbul makes case for 2020 Olympics 01:56 And this summer, the image of Turkish sport took a hit when about three dozen athletes tested positive for drugs, he said. June's rioting in Istanbul's Taksim Square may also have tainted the city's hopes, though Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan tried to persuade IOC members ahead of Saturday's vote. "We live at a time when our region and the world crave for peace," Erdogan said as part of Istanbul's final presentation. "And at this critical moment, we would like to send a strong message of peace to the whole world from Istanbul, the city of friendship and brotherhood." Tokyo led after a first round of voting Saturday but fell short of a majority, with 42.

Istanbul and Madrid tied for second on 26 votes each, and a 49-45 tiebreaker vote put the Turkish city in the final runoff with Tokyo. Tokyo won the deciding vote, 60 to Istanbul's 36, according to an IOC tweet. Madrid, like Tokyo, was a repeat bidder -- making its third consecutive case for the Games, one that was little changed from previous attempts, Hula said. The Spaniards' $2 billion bid said they had little need for new infrastructure, he said. And they have ample sports experience, having hosted a number of other high-profile, international events. But the country's economic plight remained a drawback, with one out of four adults unemployed. Though Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insisted that rate is improving, "the fact is that most reasonable, sensible economists think unemployment is going to linger at a high level for years to come," Hula said. And Spain's athletes, too, have had issues with doping accusations. In a case that occurred several years ago, blood bags from athletes who had tested positive were destroyed, Hula said. "It's been a long-running situation." Spain's Prince Philip, a former Olympic sailor, was a lead figure in Spain's presentation.

"Some people around the world have questioned hosting the Games in a time of economic uncertainty," he told the IOC members Saturday ahead of the voting. "But I don't see this as a threat to the Olympics, I see it as an opportunity. The benefits of sport are measured in generations, not in dollars." On Sunday, the three sports competing to be added to the 2020 roster will know their fate. Squash is hoping to be included for the first time, but is up against a combined baseball/softball bid and wrestling -- which is seeking to be reinstated. The 125th IOC Session will be the last for its president Jacques Rogge, who is standing down after 12 years in the role. The 71-year-old's successor will be elected Tuesday. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be in Brazil. The Winter Olympics will be held in Russia in 2014 and South Korea in 2018. Tokyo Will Host The 2020 Summer Olympics, Beating Out Istanbul | WJCT NEWS Tokyo Will Host The 2020 Summer Olympics, Beating Out Istanbul Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games, IOC officials said Saturday.

In Tokyo, five-time Paralympian Wakako Tsuchida, left, and former Olympic athletes Hiromi Miyake, center, and Yoshiyuki Miyake cheer the news. Atsushi Tomura / Getty Images Turkish officials had hoped to bring the 2020 Olympics to Istanbul. Here, the city's Hagia Sophia Museum is seen in the background, with Sultan Ahmed Square in the foreground. AP Originally published on September 7, 2013 5:51 pm It will be Tokyo, not Istanbul or Madrid, who hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and its president, Jacques Rogge, announced in Buenos Aires Saturday. Rival city Madrid was eliminated in the first round of voting. We have updated this post with the latest news. Update at 4:55 p.m. ET: Voting Tally Detailed Madrid and Istanbul had been tied after the first round with 26 votes each, according to the Games Bids site . After Istanbul was chosen over Madrid in a runoff, Tokyo won 60 votes in the third round, to Istanbul's 36. Update at 4:20 p.m.

ET: Tokyo Is It Tokyo has been chosen to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, the IOC said in an announcement that was streamed live online Saturday afternoon. In selecting Tokyo, IOC officials ended a recent trend that had favored holding the Olympics in cities or regions that haven't previously hosted the games. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964; the Winter Games were held in Nagano in 1998. But Tokyo officials also promoted their city's bid as symbolizing a new chapter for Japan, which is still recuperating from the tsunami and earthquake that devastated swaths of the country in 2011. Organizers have said they plan to have Olympic torchbearers run through areas hit by the tsunami. After the initial round of voting, Istanbul won a runoff over Madrid, leaving Tokyo firmly in the favored spot. The final announcement came as a striking turnabout for the Turkish delegation, which had earlier believed it had won not just the runoff vote but the competition itself, reports the Inside the Games website. Our original post continues: Officials from the three cities made their final pitches today. We'll update this post with the news of the winning city.

We expect the announcement just after 4 p.m. ET. As of earlier this week, oddsmakers saw Tokyo as a slight favorite to win. All of the finalists have submitted recent bids to host the Olympics. And all three were widely seen as having flaws that endanger their chances: Istanbul saw a crackdown on anti-government protesters in June; last month, 31 Turkish athletes were suspended for doping. And worries over regional crises may play a role. Tokyo officials have sought to reassure Olympic representatives that their venue is free from any ill effects from recent radioactive leaks at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Madrid has pursued its bid under the cloud of Spain's ailing economy and high unemployment rate, as well as its own doping problems. Bids from the cities of Baku, Azerbaijan, and Doha, Qatar, were not selected for the final round. In coming days, the IOC meetings will also produce the final list of sports that will be part of the 2020 Games. Wrestling, squash, and a combined bid from baseball and softball are in contention for one remaining slot. And IOC officials will also select a new president to replace the outgoing Jacques Rogge. Copyright 2013 NPR.

To see more, visit Olympics-Abe helps secure 2020 Games for Tokyo Olympics-Abe helps secure 2020 Games for Tokyo Share By Ossian Shine BUENOS AIRES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Games on Saturday, beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a charismatic plea to the International Olympic Committee, saying Japan's crippled nuclear plant was 'under control'. The Japanese won by a landslide, 60 votes to Istanbul's 36. Abe, who left early from a Group of 20 summit in Russia to make his pitch at the Olympics meeting in Buenos Aires, promised the Olympic Committee that concerns about the leaking Fukushima nuclear plant 230 km (140 miles) from Tokyo were unfounded. Fixing the IOC members with a level gaze, he said: "It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo.

There are no health-related problems until now, and nor will there be in the future -- I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way." The plant's operator has said hundreds of tonnes of radioactive water are pouring into the Pacific Ocean each day, and radiation levels have spiked. Abe's government said this week it will spend almost half a billion dollars to try to fix the water crisis and on Saturday he told the IOC: "Let me assure you the situation is under control." MASTERFUL ORATORY Tokyo won the right to stage the sporting extravaganza for the second time, having hosted in 1964 when the Games first went to Asia. It was an enormous prize after two years of intense lobbying and tens of millions of dollars spent, and Abe was thrilled. "I would like to thank everyone in the Olympic movement and we will host wonderful Olympic Games," a beaming Abe told Reuters just seconds after the result. Bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda was in tears as he said: "It is a great honour that Tokyo has been chosen. "The first thing I will do when I return is to thank all of Japan," he told Reuters after hugging dozens of IOC colleagues.

For Istanbul it was a fifth unsuccessful bid in the last six votes to host a summer Olympics. They had pitched their bid on the appeal of a new region for the Games and as a vehicle to help peace in the Middle East, but the conflict in neighbouring Syria came and recent anti-government demonstrations in Turkey overshadowed the bid. The Istanbul bid's sports director Alp Berker was searching for a reason for rejection as he told Reuters: "I don't know... there are too many variables, maybe it's the timing, maybe it's something else." When asked if the Syrian crisis had damaged their chances, he said: "We tried to tell them it was not the case, because it's a global issue. Really I don't know what the members are thinking when they're pushing the button." IOC vice-president and presidential candidate Thomas Bach described the decision as new versus old. "I think it is an election between a traditional candidature and new grounds, and today it was the traditional candidature that won," he told Reuters.

BOOST FOR ABE Madrid, which had pitched a safe, affordable, "sensible" bid had been earlier eliminated first in a secret vote by IOC members on a head to head with Istanbul after the two cities were tied in second place after the initial vote. Madrid's attempt to host 2020 had been a third consecutive bid. Tokyo is planning to incorporate existing venues and has estimated a non-Games budget of around $4.4 billion compared to $3.4 billion for the actual event. It already has a war-chest of some $4.5 billion in the bank. The victory is expected to boost Abe's popularity, and could potentially spur his signature pro-growth policies for the world's third-biggest economy. A successful Tokyo bid should boost confidence -- a key ingredient of Abe's economic success so far -- and bring real gains in terms of construction and tourism to the nation. The next summer Olympics will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The preparations for that Games have been plagued by delays and complications, and a decision for Tokyo 2020 is a return to safer waters for the Olympic movement.

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, Karolos Grohmann and Rex Gowar; Editing by Mitch Phillips and Peter Henderson) Reblog Tokyo gets 2020 Olympic Games with help from prime minister | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis Tokyo gets 2020 Olympic Games with help from prime minister (AFP) Shares0 Sun, 8 Sep 2013-08:33am , Reuters Tokyo was awarded the 2020 summer Olympic Games on Saturday, beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a charismatic plea to the International Olympic Committee and promised Japan's crippled nuclear plant was "under control." The Japanese capital won what one insider had called a "least-ugly" contest by most effectively covering its blemishes. Rival Madrid has been laid low by the economy and Istanbul has been beset by anti-government protests. Tokyo won by a landslide, 60 votes to Istanbul's 36, after Madrid was eliminated in a first round of voting.

Abe, who left early from a Group of 20 summit in Russia to make his pitch at the meeting in Buenos Aires, promised the roughly 100 members of the International Olympic Committee that concerns about the leaking Fukushima nuclear plant 140 miles (230 km) from Tokyo were unfounded. Fixing IOC members with a level gaze, he said: "It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo. There are no health-related problems until now, and nor will there be in the future - I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way." The plant's operator has said hundreds of tonnes of radioactive water are pouring into the Pacific Ocean each day, and radiation levels have spiked. Abe's government said this week it would spend almost half a billion dollars to try to fix the water crisis. He told the IOC on Saturday, "Let me assure you the situation is under control." Tokyo won the right to stage the sporting extravaganza for the second time, having hosted in 1964 when the Games first went to Asia. On that occasion, Abe's grandfather, Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, led the bid to bring the Games to Japan.

Tokyo in its pitch highlighted its solid finances and strong track record of delivering on promises. Olympic President Jacques Rogge described its as "a safe pair of hands." The next summer Olympics will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and the preparations for that Games have been plagued by delays and complications. Moreover, the Tokyo bid capitalizes on the potential of the Asian continent, with its increasingly consumer-focused economies. Winning the Games was an enormous prize after two years of intense lobbying and tens of millions of dollars spent, and Abe was thrilled. "I would like to thank everyone in the Olympic movement and we will host wonderful Olympic Games," a beaming Abe told Reuters seconds after the result. Bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda was in tears as he said, "It is a great honor that Tokyo has been chosen. For Istanbul, it was its fifth unsuccessful bid in the last six votes to host a summer Olympics. The city had pitched itself as a new region for the Games, the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and as a vehicle to help foster peace in the Middle East. But the conflict in neighboring Syria and recent anti-government demonstrations in Turkey overshadowed the bid.

Istanbul bid sports director Alp Berker was searching for a reason for rejection as he told Reuters, "I don't know. ... there are too many variables, maybe it's the timing, maybe it's something else." When asked if the Syrian crisis had damaged their chances, he said: "We tried to tell them it was not the case, because it's a global issue. Really, I don't know what the members are thinking when they're pushing the button." IOC vice-president and presidential candidate Thomas Bach described the decision as new versus old. "I think it is an election between a traditional candidature and new grounds, and today it was the traditional candidature that won," he told Reuters. Madrid, which had pitched a safe, affordable, "sensible" bid, was eliminated in a secret vote pitting it against Istanbul after the two cities tied behind Tokyo. Madrid's attempt to host 2020 was its third consecutive try. Tokyo is planning to incorporate existing venues and has estimated a non-Games budget of about $4.4 billion, compared with $3.4 billion for the actual event. It already has a war-chest of some $4.5 billion in the bank.

The victory is expected to boost Abe's popularity, and could potentially spur his signature pro-growth policies for the world's third-biggest economy. A successful Tokyo bid should boost confidence as well as spur construction and tourism. TOP Abe helps secure 2020 Games for Tokyo | Reuters Sat Sep 7, 2013 | 11:49 PM BST Abe helps secure 2020 Games for Tokyo 1/11 People celebrate after hearing that Tokyo had been chosen to host the 2020 Olympic Games during a public viewing event in Tokyo September 8, 2013. Reuters/Toru Hanai + 2/11 Japan's Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda celebrates as Jacques Rogge President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Game during a ceremony in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013.

Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + 3/11 Japan's Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda celebrates as Jacques Rogge President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Game during a ceremony in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + 4/11 Japanese fencer Yuki Ota cries as Jacques Rogge President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Game during a ceremony in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + 5/11 Members of the Tokyo bid committee celebrate as Jacques Rogge President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces Tokyo as the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Game during a ceremony in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013.

Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + 6/11 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan arrives for the presentation by the Tokyo 2020 bid committee to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. The IOC will elect the winning city from candidates Tokyo, Madrid, and Istanbul on Saturday afternoon at their 125th Session in the Argentine capital. Reuters/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool + 7/11 Japan's Princess Takamado speaks during the presentation by the Tokyo 2020 bid committee to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. Reuters/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool + 8/11 Masato Mizuno, CEO of the Tokyo 2020 bid committee speaks with IOC member Princess Anne of Britain (R) before their presentation to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. The IOC will elect the winning city from candidates Tokyo, Madrid, and Istanbul on Saturday afternoon at their 125th Session in the Argentine capital.

Reuters/Fabrice Coffrini/Pool + 9/11 A man uses a mobile phone above a campaign sign for Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games during a public viewing event in Tokyo September 7, 2013. Reuters/Toru Hanai + 10/11 Prince Felipe of Spain speaks during the presentation by the Madrid 2020 bid committee to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013. The IOC will elect the winning city from candidates Madrid, Tokyo and Istanbul on Saturday afternoon at their 125th Session in the Argentine capital. Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + 11/11 Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the presentation of Istanbul as candidate to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires September 7, 2013.

Reuters/Marcos Brindicci + By Ossian Shine | BUENOS AIRES BUENOS AIRES Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Olympic Games on Saturday, beating Istanbul in a head-to-head vote after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a charismatic plea to the IOC, saying Japan's crippled nuclear plant was 'under control'. The Japanese won by a landslide, 60 votes to Istanbul's 36. Abe, who left early from a Group of 20 summit in Russia to make his pitch at the meeting in Buenos Aires, promised the International Olympic Committee that concerns about the leaking Fukushima nuclear plant 230 km (140 miles) from Tokyo were unfounded. Fixing the IOC members with a level gaze, he said: "It has never done and will never do any damage to Tokyo. There are no health-related problems until now, and nor will there be in the future -- I make the statement to you in the most emphatic and unequivocal way." The plant's operator has said hundreds of tonnes of radioactive water are pouring into the Pacific Ocean each day, and radiation levels have spiked.

Abe's government said this week it will spend almost half a billion dollars to try to fix the water crisis and on Saturday he told the IOC: "Let me assure you the situation is under control." MASTERFUL ORATORY Tokyo won the right to stage the sporting extravaganza for the second time, having hosted in 1964 when the Games first went to Asia. It was an enormous prize after two years of intense lobbying and tens of millions of dollars spent, and Abe was thrilled. "I would like to thank everyone in the Olympic movement and we will host wonderful Olympic Games," a beaming Abe told Reuters just seconds after the result. Bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda was in tears as he said: "It is a great honour that Tokyo has been chosen. "The first thing I will do when I return is to thank all of Japan," he told Reuters after hugging dozens of IOC colleagues. For Istanbul it was a fifth unsuccessful bid in the last six votes to host a summer Olympics. They had pitched their bid on the appeal of a new region for the Games and as a vehicle to help peace in the Middle East, but the conflict in neighbouring Syria came and recent anti-government demonstrations in Turkey overshadowed the bid.

The Istanbul bid's sports director Alp Berker was searching for a reason for rejection as he told Reuters: "I don't know... there are too many variables, maybe it's the timing, maybe it's something else." When asked if the Syrian crisis had damaged their chances, he said: "We tried to tell them it was not the case, because it's a global issue. Really I don't know what the members are thinking when they're pushing the button." IOC vice-president and presidential candidate Thomas Bach described the decision as new versus old. "I think it is an election between a traditional candidature and new grounds, and today it was the traditional candidature that won," he told Reuters. BOOST FOR ABE Madrid, which had pitched a safe, affordable, "sensible" bid had been earlier eliminated first in a secret vote by IOC members on a head to head with Istanbul after the two cities were tied in second place after the initial vote. Madrid's attempt to host 2020 had been a third consecutive bid. Tokyo is planning to incorporate existing venues and has estimated a non-Games budget of around $4.4 billion compared to $3.4 billion for the actual event.

It already has a war-chest of some $4.5 billion in the bank. The victory is expected to boost Abe's popularity, and could potentially spur his signature pro-growth policies for the world's third-biggest economy. A successful Tokyo bid should boost confidence -- a key ingredient of Abe's economic success so far -- and bring real gains in terms of construction and tourism to the nation. The next summer Olympics will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The preparations for that Games have been plagued by delays and complications, and a decision for Tokyo 2020 is a return to safer waters for the Olympic movement. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer, Karolos Grohmann and Rex Gowar; Editing by Mitch Phillips and Peter Henderson) ADVERTISEMENT

Question: Which city was awarded the 2020 Summer Olympics last month, beating Istanbul and Madrid ?
Answer: TOKYO