Tokyo plans to bid for 2020 Olympics

November 2nd, 2009 Dubai rulers push Dubai 2020 Olympic bidDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The ruler of Dubai has taken part in a high-level meeting to discuss the Gulf emirate's possible bid for the 2020 Olympics. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his son, Crown Prince Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, led a working group meeting Monday to push the joint effort for the 2020 Olympics and 2020 World Expo.

November 2nd, 2009 Dubai takes first steps toward Olympic bid in 2020DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — This Gulf boomtown has set its sights on becoming the first Arab city to host the Olympics with a committee meeting Monday to consider a possible bid for the 2020 games. The city-state's media office said Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with the group, urging it to devote its full efforts to the campaign.

October 27th, 2009 Visa renews as Olympic sponsor through 2020LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Visa extended its global sponsorship deal with the International Olympic Committee through 2020 on Tuesday. The eight-year renewal was signed in Moscow at a ceremony attended by IOC president Jacques Rogge and Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

October 22nd, 2009 Japan's Olympic champ Kitajima set to dive back inTOKYO — Double Olympic breaststroke champion Kosuke Kitajima will return to competitive swimming next month for the first time since the Beijing Olympics. The 27-year-old Kitajima has entered the 50-, 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events at a Nov.

October 13th, 2009 Palermo announces plans to bid for 2020 OlympicsPALERMO, Sicily — Palermo joined the list of Italian cities interested in bidding for the 2020 Olympics on Tuesday. Rome and Venice already announced their desire to host the games, setting off a round of bickering over which city would be a better candidate.

October 11th, 2009 Hiroshima, Nagasaki to bid for 2020 OlympicsTOKYO — Hiroshima and Nagasaki — site of atomic bombings in World War II — are teaming up to make a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics that will emphasize world peace. Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba and Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue announced on Sunday that they will form a joint bid committee.

October 2nd, 2009 Madrid, Tokyo fall short in race for 2016 OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — When it came right down to it, Madrid and Tokyo could do nothing to sway IOC voters from the prospect of a South American Olympics. The two bids made the second round Friday after pre-vote favorite Chicago was shockingly eliminated in the first round, but neither managed to pick up significant backers among the International Olympic Committee members as the process continued.

October 2nd, 2009 Final voting totals for 2016 OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — Final voting totals for the right to host the 2016 Olympics: First RoundMadrid28Rio26Tokyo22Chicago18Second RoundRio46Madrid29Tokyo20Third RoundRio66Madrid32

October 2nd, 2009 Tokyo loses Olympic bid, dogged by lukewarm publicTOKYO — Its bid tainted by the perceived tepid support of its citizens, Tokyo failed to bring the Olympics back to Japan's capital when the International Olympic Committee rejected it in the second round of voting to choose the 2016 Games. With memories fresh of Beijing's turn in the global spotlight during last year's Olympics, voters may also have been reluctant to grant another Asian capital the honor so soon.

October 2nd, 2009 Tokyo presents 2016 bid as best for athletesCOPENHAGEN — Tokyo has made its case to host the 2016 Olympics as the best bid for athletes. Tokyo's bid team told IOC members Friday that their project was created by Olympians for Olympians, and would happen in the world's most exciting city.

October 2nd, 2009 Chicago doesn't get 2016 OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — Chicago was eliminated in the first ballot of voting for the 2016 Olympics on Friday, a stunning defeat for the city that was expected to be one of the two finalists. Tokyo was also eliminated, leaving Rio de Janeiro and Madrid as the finalists.

September 30th, 2009 Tokyo makes environment a priority in 2016 bidCOPENHAGEN — Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Games could be an environmental model for future Olympics — and the entire world. Tokyo organizers touted their bid Tuesday, saying the compact plan shows that even the world's largest cities can make environmental sustainability a reality.

September 24th, 2009 Tokyo bidders increase push to host 2016 OlympicsTOKYO — Tokyo should host the 2016 Olympics because it has the most compact set up, the most experience and will be the best stage for the world's athletes, one of Japan's top sports figures and bid backers said Thursday. Mikako Kotani, an Olympic bronze medalist in synchronized swimming and the head of the athletes' commission for the Tokyo 2016 bid committee, said she has big hopes that Japan's capital will beat out Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid when the final decision is made on the host site next Friday.

August 20th, 2009 Tokyo says 17 sponsors backing 2016 Olympic bidTOKYO — Tokyo now has 17 Japanese companies serving as official sponsors for the city's bid to host the 2016 Olympics, organizers said Thursday. The sponsors include sports apparel companies Asics and Descente, beer maker Asahi, toymaker Bandai, commercial carriers Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, Internet giant Yahoo Japan, and parcel service Yamato Transport.

August 10th, 2009 USOC: Chicago 2016 is our only focusCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —U.S. Olympic Committee leaders have reiterated their support for Chicago's bid to land the 2016 Olympics, saying it is the federation's sole focus.