Tokyo Will Host the 2020 Summer Olympics

Tokyo will be the host city of the 2020 Olympic Games, announced Jacques Rogges, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), this afternoon in Buenos Aires.

Tokyo beat out Istanbul and Madrid as well as Rome, Doha, and Baku in Azerbaijan who participated in the first phase of the bid process. The candidate cities were involved in a two-year process during which the final three participants filled out applications, outlined the blueprint of their Olympic projects, and hosted the IOC Evaluation Commission.

Earlier today in Buenos Aires, each city made a 45-minute presentation in front of the IOC Session. The IOC members eliminated Madrid before voting between Tokyo and Istanbul. It was the third consecutive bid that Madrid lost.

Why Tokyo Won

Tokyo was believed to the commission’s favorite leading up to today’s vote. It is the safest choice in comparison to Istanbul, where development hurdles and regional conflicts could scare away the IOC, and Madrid, which is still in the turmoil of Europe’s recession.

Tokyo’s bid focused on the “power of sport” and saw the Olympics serving as symbol of hope following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The IOC made a logical decision in picking Tokyo. There is little economic risk for the city. The only uncertainty involved is the city’s susceptibility to natural disasters, which could impact infrastructure prior to the 2020 games.

In an effort to quell any concerns over radiation levels, Tokyo set up an an English website to show radiation levels across the city.

Tokyo also already has 20 corporate sponsors lined up, which likely helped it secure the bid.

Tokyo hosted the games once before in 1964.

What Twitter Says

Here are some of the reactions from Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JasonHirschhorn/status/376440508203036672

https://twitter.com/HirokoTabuchi/status/376389867434811392

It wasn't a contest, Tokyo won big RT @iocmedia #BA2013 voting results final round #olympics2020 pic.twitter.com/oSJxocM276

— Rafat Ali, Media Operator & Dad (@rafat) September 7, 2013

https://twitter.com/Brett_Fujioka/status/376441606544433153

Here's a poster for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics created by Yusaku Kamekura. pic.twitter.com/Vdion59VCF

— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) September 7, 2013

Other Olympics coverage on Skift:

• Madrid, Istanbul and Tokyo Patiently Wait for Tomorrow’s Olympic Decision
• This Weekend’s Olympic Committee Meeting Is Packed With Big Decisions
• Olympic Organizers Visit Brazil to Ensure Development Stays on Track
• Tokyo Tourism Companies See Stocks Rise Before Olympics Announcement
• Vladimir Putin Declares ‘Forbidden Zone’ Around Sochi Olympic Resort