Olympics: JOC President virtually declares Tokyo bid

TOKYO, July 15 Kyodo -
Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda on Friday virtually announced that Tokyo will bid for the 2020 Olympics, reiterating Japan's commitment to organize the Summer Games for the first time since 1964.
''We have a responsibility and obligation to meet the expectations placed on us,'' said Takeda. ''We must bring the Olympics back to Japan. Unfortunately, we missed out on 2016 but since then, we have been doing everything we can to prepare for 2020.
''I cannot formally announce the bid at this moment, but we believe the Olympics will aid in the recovery and reconstruction of this country, and we want to help create a new Japan for the future, for our children.
''We are convinced the Olympics will be beneficial to the entire nation,'' he said.
Takeda's comments came toward the end of a symposium to mark the 100th anniversary of the JOC. A press conference is scheduled following Saturday's centennial event which will be attended by the Emperor.
Tokyo campaigned for the 2016 Olympics with little public support, losing in the second round of voting won by Rio de Janeiro.
Tokyo's potential bid has been welcomed by International Committee President Jacques Rogge and endorsed by the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
A day earlier, Rogge said that Pyeongchang, South Korea, winning the hosting rights of the 2018 Winter Games week will not hurt neighboring Tokyo's chances for 2020.
The application deadline for the 2020 bid is Sept. 1. The winner will be announced 2013.
==Kyodo