Tokyo is preparing a bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly has approved a resolution to bid to be Japan's candidate city, and launched a preparation committee.
Tokyo last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964.
The International Olympic Committee will make the final decision in July 2009.
Given that the 2008 Games are being held in Beijing, it is unlikely that another Asian city will be chosen in quite such a short timeframe.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Bulgarian Investigation
The Bulgarian criminal investigation into the BBC Panorama programme, that showed corruption connected to London's Olympic games bid, has been dropped due to lack of evidence.
The programme, "Buying The Games" broadcast in August 2004, showed Bulgarian IOC member Ivan Slavkov telling undercover reporters how to make bribes to win the 2012 Olympics for London.
Slavkov was relieved of his Olympic duties by the IOC after the documentary was broadcast, he denied that he had done anything wrong.
Bulgaria then decided to conduct an investigation into the BBC, which was initiated after Slavkov told former chief prosecutor, Nikola Filchev, that he blamed the BBC journalists for distorting the film.
The new Sofia prosecutor, Boyko Naydenov, said Slavkov's claims were irrelevant.
Quote:
"The case was originally initiated on allegations that the authors of the BBC documentary violated Article 307 of the Bulgarian Penal Code - incitement to accept a bribe - and Article 339A - the use of a surveillance device without permission.
It has now been terminated at a pre-trial stage before any charges could be pressed in court due to a lack of evidence."
In other words, the charges against the BBC were nonsense.
The programme, "Buying The Games" broadcast in August 2004, showed Bulgarian IOC member Ivan Slavkov telling undercover reporters how to make bribes to win the 2012 Olympics for London.
Slavkov was relieved of his Olympic duties by the IOC after the documentary was broadcast, he denied that he had done anything wrong.
Bulgaria then decided to conduct an investigation into the BBC, which was initiated after Slavkov told former chief prosecutor, Nikola Filchev, that he blamed the BBC journalists for distorting the film.
The new Sofia prosecutor, Boyko Naydenov, said Slavkov's claims were irrelevant.
Quote:
"The case was originally initiated on allegations that the authors of the BBC documentary violated Article 307 of the Bulgarian Penal Code - incitement to accept a bribe - and Article 339A - the use of a surveillance device without permission.
It has now been terminated at a pre-trial stage before any charges could be pressed in court due to a lack of evidence."
In other words, the charges against the BBC were nonsense.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Ex Athens Chief Urges Openness
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, the chief organiser of the 2004 Athens Games has urged the Chinese to embrace "genuine openness" as they prepare to host the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
She spoke at a lunch hosted by the British Olympic Association on Monday, saying:
"It's a great global gathering of more than 200 nations and openhearted visitors will come to China to see this nation as it truly is.
There needs to be genuine openness and a true sense that the new China is willing to accept this openness. If visitors or international broadcasters cannot move around as they want to then the Games will not be the success they want it to be.
This is China's chance to show they have embraced the 21st century."
There is concern voiced by some that the Chinese government has not granted wider political and personal freedoms, as it experiences unparalleled economic growth and is also spending heavily on Olympic venues.
If the IOC are genuinely concerned about China's openness, then why did they award them the Games in the first place?
She spoke at a lunch hosted by the British Olympic Association on Monday, saying:
"It's a great global gathering of more than 200 nations and openhearted visitors will come to China to see this nation as it truly is.
There needs to be genuine openness and a true sense that the new China is willing to accept this openness. If visitors or international broadcasters cannot move around as they want to then the Games will not be the success they want it to be.
This is China's chance to show they have embraced the 21st century."
There is concern voiced by some that the Chinese government has not granted wider political and personal freedoms, as it experiences unparalleled economic growth and is also spending heavily on Olympic venues.
If the IOC are genuinely concerned about China's openness, then why did they award them the Games in the first place?
Monday, March 13, 2006
Olympics Contamination Plan
The London Olympics, due to be held in 2012, have hit another problem. It seems that plans by Olympic developers to move a premier cycle track to contaminated land close to the M25 have not gone down well with cycle groups.
Eastway cycling circuit is currently home to a number of cycling groups, and has been so for the last 31 years.
However, it lies in the path of the Olympics and is considered to be an obstacle by those who wish to develop the site.
The London Development Agency (LDA) wishes to close the site down in September and move it to Rammey Marsh, Enfield. However, users say that the location is unsuitable.
The Eastway Users Group (EUG) says that the proposed site is contaminated, and that it has poor air quality due to its proximity to the M25.
Michael Humphreys of EUG is quoted as saying:
"We have around 26 hectares at Eastway but the proposed relocation, once planning constraints and the expansion of the M25 in 2008 are taken into consideration, will give us between six and seven hectares.
We have found a location at Hogg Hill in Forest Road, Redbridge, which would be perfect. But although the LDA says it has the funds to explore and develop this possibility, it has gone ahead with a planning application for Rammey Marsh."
A spokesman for the LDA said:
"Unlike Hogg Hill, we know at the moment Rammey Marsh is a deliverable site and will ensure continuity of provision."
Mr Humphreys is not convinced:
"We're getting confused messages from the LDA. It seems that at no time has it had any intention to send us anywhere but Rammey Marsh.
If this happens it will be disastrous and hundreds of youngsters will lose out."
Under these circumstances you can be sure of one thing, money wins over the rights of individuals every time.
Eastway cycling circuit is currently home to a number of cycling groups, and has been so for the last 31 years.
However, it lies in the path of the Olympics and is considered to be an obstacle by those who wish to develop the site.
The London Development Agency (LDA) wishes to close the site down in September and move it to Rammey Marsh, Enfield. However, users say that the location is unsuitable.
The Eastway Users Group (EUG) says that the proposed site is contaminated, and that it has poor air quality due to its proximity to the M25.
Michael Humphreys of EUG is quoted as saying:
"We have around 26 hectares at Eastway but the proposed relocation, once planning constraints and the expansion of the M25 in 2008 are taken into consideration, will give us between six and seven hectares.
We have found a location at Hogg Hill in Forest Road, Redbridge, which would be perfect. But although the LDA says it has the funds to explore and develop this possibility, it has gone ahead with a planning application for Rammey Marsh."
A spokesman for the LDA said:
"Unlike Hogg Hill, we know at the moment Rammey Marsh is a deliverable site and will ensure continuity of provision."
Mr Humphreys is not convinced:
"We're getting confused messages from the LDA. It seems that at no time has it had any intention to send us anywhere but Rammey Marsh.
If this happens it will be disastrous and hundreds of youngsters will lose out."
Under these circumstances you can be sure of one thing, money wins over the rights of individuals every time.
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