Acapulco - Tokyo made its mark in "enemy territory" with its presentation in the Mexican resort of Acapulco bidding to host the 2016 Olympic Games, delighting an audience of Olympic committees from the Americas. The Japanese delegation generated applause and provoked laughter with its sense of humour, even though the participants of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) were geographically nearer to bidders Chicago and Rio de Janeiro, and historically closer to Madrid.
"It was our first opportunity to make the official presentation to the members of PASO, and also to many members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). I enjoyed it very much," Ichiro Kono, director of Tokyo 2016, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
The Acapulco meeting brought together not only the presidents of 42 Olympic committees of the Americas and international federations, but also various members of the IOC, including its president Jacques Rogge.
For Kono, it was a unique opportunity that he did not consider a battle in hostile terrain. "This is a competition between friends," he said. "Chicago, Madrid and Rio, they are all my friends."
Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympic Games, hopes to show the world how much it has changed since then.
"All of the Games are different, many things are different. The city is changing, everything is different this time, and so it will be a distinct event," Kono said.
The city's chief promoter to host the 2016 Games said the global economic crisis would not alter its plans.
"The economic situation could have an impact anywhere in the world, but I think that nobody knows what will happen in the future because the economy rises and falls, rises and falls," he said. "I am not a fortune teller, but we are not thinking about making any changes. We are focused on this plan and I feel very confident."
Kono congratulated Beijing 2008 for its organization of the Games and promised that Tokyo would also be magnificent - in its own way - if it wins the IOC vote on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen.
"The Beijing Games were perfect. London will be different but I understand that it will also be a perfect event. And we will have a perfect Olympic Games also, in our own style."
Kono declined to give details about defining characteristics of Tokyo 2016, but in general terms it is talking about an event that is respectful of the environment, will unite tradition and modernity, and will use the most advanced technology.
"I regret that I can't provide details until after February, when we present to the full IOC," he said. "Tokyo is one of the megacities, we will bring together past and present and have the Games of the future in the 21st century."
