Since being shortlisted as a Candidate City for the 2020 event by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year, the Tokyo bid team has worked to develop a dialogue with the International Federations to improve the bid and the Candidature File that will be submitted early next year on January 7.

Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President and Tokyo 2020 bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda said that the full backing of the International Federations gives them huge momentum heading into next year.

"I would like to personally thank all International Federations for their cooperation," said Takeda, who is also an IOC member.

"Our plan is the result of Tokyo 2020's will to place the needs of sport and athletes firmly in the centre of the Games.

"The approvals from all International Federations for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games prove Tokyo's outstanding capacity."


Tokyo is currently bidding against Istanbul in Turkey and Madrid in Spain for the right to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

The IOC will select the host city on September 7 next year at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, and Tokyo 2020 bid sports director Yuko Arakida feels his team is in a strong position following the approval of the International Federations.

"From an early stage, Tokyo 2020 has sought guidance from the International Federations to ensure that the needs of every sport were met," said Arakida.

"The close working relationships between the International Federations, the National Federations and our bid team have enabled a smooth and quick process.

"We're very grateful to the International Federations for their participation leading to these sign offs, and are pleased to have developed an athlete-focused plan that suits their needs and we are sure that Tokyo will provide excellent exposure for all sports."

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