Hiroshima Japan has opted out of its bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Hiroshima’s Mayor Kazumi Matsui formally withdrew the city’s bid Monday, telling Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Tsunekazuk Takeda that Hiroshima was backing out because the city is still mired in debt linked to the 1994 Asian Games.
He said, “the repayment of debt related to the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games is ongoing, and we face financial problems. I was unable to even find evidence that there was any kind of a proper blueprint for a bid (under the former mayor)”.
The JOC President said, “it’s a shame that (Hiroshima) has pulled out but it’s unavoidable”.
Meanwhile Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara said he still has hope his city can make a successful run at 2020, despite its failed bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Candidate cities must submit their bids to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by September 1, 2011, and the host city will be selected in September 2013.
