Tokyo 2016 bid officials have formally asked that Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako be in Copenhagen October 2 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes for the 2016 host city.
Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara has publicly said that he hopes the two would give a presentation at the IOC general meeting, but Japan Times reports it was the first such request filed directly with the Imperial Household Agency.
Hirofumi Oka, a senior official of the household agency said “the matter should be carefully considered, and we would like to go over it by hearing opinions from various parties concerned”.
Meanwhile a high-level Tokyo 2016 delegation, led by Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chair and CEO of Tokyo 2016, will be in Rome starting Friday to offer its support for the athletes competing in the 13th FINA World Championships where Japan is fielding a 52-member national squad. The 13th FINA World Championships are being held July 17 to August 2.
Kono said in a press release, “we are simply thrilled to be travelling to Rome to experience this superb event with swimming fans from across the world. Tokyo 2016 is committed to inspiring young people to get more active and give their best through sport and I’m sure seeing the world’s finest swimmers in action is a great way to achieve this”.
