Governor Resignation Deals Blow to Tokyo; Istanbul Touts 007 Link

Tokyo's Olympic bid faces a sudden challenge with the surprise resignation of its top political supporter.

Shinato Ishihara, who is president of the Tokyo 2020 Council, was the driving force of the 2020 and 2016 bids. He announced his resignation on Thursday, having served as Tokyo governor since 1999. He was the highest ranking politician in Japan to actively support the Tokyo bids.

Around the Rings understands no decision has been made if Ishihara will keep his role on the council. If he goes, as seems likely, new leadership would be required just two months before 2020 bid submissions are due to the IOC.

Tsunekazu Takeda, bid president, underlined Ishihara’s strong support for Tokyo’s bids, insisting the bid is unaffected by his resignation.

"Tokyo’s bid is supported by every different level of the Japanese society, from local and national governments, to the sport community and across all business sectors," he said in a statement sent to ATR.

"We are confident that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue providing support for the bid and that Governor Ishihara's resignation will have no impact on our campaign."

He added: "With his enthusiasm remaining with us, Tokyo 2020's bid effort remains focused on providing the best possible stage for athletes. Over the next 11 months, we will continue to work closely with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to win the right to host the 2020 Games."

Ishihara told a packed news conference in the Japanese capital today that he wanted to fix the country’s economic and political problems.

"I'm returning to the national politics by forming a new party with my colleagues," he was quoted by the Associated Press. "What I'm trying to do is everything I've been trying to for Tokyo."

Olympic and Paralympic medalists joined cultural icons at Tokyo’s annual Nihonbashi parade, part of a nationwide engagement initiative with the 2020 bid campaign.

Last Sunday’s festival is known for showcasing Japanese culture. Olympic and Paralympic medalists were invited to participate in the parade for the first time.

Istanbul Flags Government Support Amid Euro 2020 Bid Promotion

Istanbul 2020 claims it won’t be undermined by the Turkish Football Federation aggressively promoting its Euro 2020 bid.

This week the federation made its first comments in months about its Euro 2020 ambitions as Turkish FA bosses will outline their plan at the Soccerex convention in Rio de Janeiro.

The delegation in Rio will promote Turkey’s staging of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Euro 2020 bid.

"Through the Soccerex Global Convention, I want to point out once again to all important actors of football that we will demonstrate how Turkey is the right choice to host the 2020 UEFA European Championships. We want to meet you all in Turkey," said Turkish FA president Yıldırım Demirören.

The Turkish FA’s quest is hampered by the Istanbul 2020 bid that comes with government support. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told IOC president Jacques Rogge during the London Games that the Olympic bid was his government’s number one priority.

Turkey was the only Euro 2020 bidder in May but UEFA president Michel Platini has since reopened the bidding process to member FAs and floated a plan to stage Euro 2020 across different European cities to mark the 60th anniversary of the first European Championship.

Discussions are underway with UEFA’s 53 member federations with a decision due on the matter later this year. The UEFA Executive Committee will publish its detailed bid regulations in December.

Istanbul 2020 Flags City’s Role in "Skyfall"

Istanbul 2020 believes the latest James Bond movie, "Skyfall", underlined Istanbul’s credentials as potential Olympic host city.

The film, which premiered in London this week, is the third 007 movie to use Istanbul as a setting.

Bid leader Hasan Arat said a recent surge in blockbuster films being set in the city is: "evidence that Istanbul is an iconic global city."

"These Bond films perfectly reflect the duality of Istanbul," he added.

With British Bond actor Daniel Craig having made a memorable appearance at the London 2012 opening ceremony, a bid insider told ATR: "Who knows, he may even ask to join the Istanbul 2020 International Ambassador Program and appear as part of our final presentation in Buenos Aires!"

Madrid 2020 Presents Environmental Goals

The Spanish bid this week emphasized its efforts to make the city more sustainable, including work to enhance the use of public transport.

At a conference on sport and the environment, Madrid 2020 president Alejandro Blanco commented that sustainability was "particularly important" for the Madrid 2020 bid, as it hopes to set "a new example for future generations to follow".

Reducing the carbon footprint, establishing environmental standards for the management of the city, and involving the public are all crucial to the Olympic bid, he claimed.

Madrid 2020 said it is building on the work of previous bids, with each venue receiving a "strategic environmental assessment."

The city council plans three pilot projects to be introduced in the Olympic Village that will address issues such as efficient water management, reducing CO2 emissions, and product certification. Other green objectives include creating 100 percent renewable energy, reducing noise pollution and managing waste products.

Blanco, who also heads the Spanish Olympic Committee, also took time out to congratulate Marisol Casado on her r-election as president of the International Triathlon Union earlier this week.

"This is the recognition of four years of hard work in which Marisol and her team have focused their energy in the growth of the ITU," he said in a statement sent to ATR. "It's very good news for her, for the future of triathlon and for Madrid 2020."

Reported by Mark Bisson.

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