Olympic Parade, Harajuku

You can see more detailed photos of the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Parade at Shibuya246.com

Tug of War event at Nihonbashi, Tokyo for Tokyo 2016

In support of the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Paralympic Bid, the Chuo-ku Tourist Association, this year celebrating their 50th year of operation, held a Tug of War event at Nihonbashi.

Chuo ward comes together with Tokyo 2016 at Nihonbashi

Those taking part for the Olympian team two-time wrestling gold medallist, Saori Yoshida, and two-time Judo gold medallist, Ayumi Tanimoto.

The interview discussing the Tug of War event

The Olympians put their full energy into it on a hot day

The children who had won the morning session were still fired up to win

In the end, the children who had won the morning session seemed to get the edge over the Olympians and beat them in the first round. A second round was held which the Olympians won.

a bit of surprise and enjoyment after being beaten in the first round

everyone happy with the result. high fives all round

To finish the day’s event, two well trained teams fought out a Tug of War battle.

Tug of War, Nihonbashi

Great idea to spread lanterns on the Odaiba beach in support of 2016

These photos were captured by hops_76.

Colourful Lanterns

In a similar display of support for Tokyo 2016, hundreds of ladies and gents in kimono were brilliantly captured earlier this year. This photo by michaeljohngrist shows the enthusiasm from the community for Tokyo2016.

Excellent shot from above

And another excellent capture of two lovely ladies.

Tokyo2016 - yes we can

But it not just a matter of expertly organising kimonos and lanterns, Japan is also offering a hi-tech background for Tokyo2016!

This breathtaking photo of Gundam was snapped by Shibuya246 as the sun set yesterday evening.

Brilliant shot of Gundam

There were hundreds of people present watching the 1/1 Scale Gundam change colours in the fading daylight.

And talk of the 2016 bid was on many peoples lips. This is because just recently, the Green Tokyo Gundam committee closed a charity auction to provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to sit on Gundam’s shoulder. This will be an amazing photo shoot! And money raised will be contributed to the Tokyo2016 bid. Creative thinking Green Tokyo.

Green Tokyo Gundam Project

Three great events that represent the atmosphere, tradition and technology displayed in the bid for Tokyo2016. Thanks to the photographers!

Gundam - A Protector Robot that represents Freedom

Pre-match, the Tokyo Verdy mascot shows his support for the Tokyo 2016 Bid

I was fortunate to be invited to go “track-side” to get some good photos of the festivities. I have also written up some more information on this Tokyo Verdy v. Tokushima Vortis match at the shibuya246 site.

Tokyo 2016 Bid Medals being presented as special awards for helping community

In 2016 there could be real Olympic medals in this stadium

Display of Japanese Shodo, with Yukata Girls
These girls and their drummer, gave a demonstration of Shodo　（書道）, Japanese calligraphy. Dressed in the Tokyo 2016 Bid Yukatas they looked very cool.

Here come the Tokyo 2016 Yukata Girls, with drummer

Trying to protect the Yukata from getting dirty from the ink was the hardest part!

The Kanji has been written with large brushes

A close up of the Shodo

Chance for some official photos after the Shodo display

Maybe one extra non-official photo couldn't hurt

Yoyogi National Stadium
The stadium at Yoyogi looked to be in fantastic condition. With it being in such a central location and transportation so easy, it was a great reminder of how compact a city Tokyo can be.

If the Bid for 2016 is successful, most of the venues will be within 2 city zones, the Heritage Zone and the Tokyo Bay Zone.

Pre-match shot of the stadium, before the crowds arrive

Looking at the high quality of the pitch and the facilities, it is hard to imagine that this Stadium was built for the 1964 Games.

Yoyogi and Shinjuku in the background, just minutes away from the Stadium

The stylish roof of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, next door

Half-time support from kids
At half-time there was an event where the children could show their support for the Tokyo 2016 Games Bid.

children on standby, waiting to come on at half-time

Looks like everyone is enjoying the event as they come on to the track

The Tokyo 2016 Candidate City banner being paraded

Characters never fail to disappoint. Verdy's mascot going down well with the kids.

More Yukata
If you are interested in the Tokyo 2016 Yukata, then here are a few more shots of some other girls at the event. It seemed like the Tokyo 2016 Yukata were everywhere. A very popular item and good for the hot summer evenings.

Thanks girls and thanks to all your sponsors

at the reception area as the kids file through trying to catch the Verdy mascot

Nice look at the red obi on these Yukata

The Match

A free kick is awarded midway through the first half

the cross comes in ...

the header is on target ...

and that's the first goal to Tokyo Verdy

plenty of cheers from the supporters

the coach sends the signal he wants another 3 goals to finish the match

with quality passes like this one, more goals are on the way

Result
The match was fast paced and Tokyo Verdy were able to beat Tokushima Vortis 4-0. If things go as well with Tokyo’s Olympic / Parlympic Bid, then we can expect to see many more soccer games in Tokyo 2016.

Tokyo Verdy team photo with Tokyo 2016 Games Bid

More Information

• J-League Official Site (English)
• Tokyo Verdy Homepage (Japanese)
• Tokushima Vortis Homepage (Japanese)
• Tokyo 2016 Bid Blog (English)
• Shibuya246 site report on this soccer match (English)

Miu Yamamoto sports a very cool looking Tokyo 2016 Yukata

Showing support for the Tokyo 2016 Bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ms. Miu Yamamoto is shown here wearing a Tokyo 2016 logo designed Yukata.

Ms. Yamamoto is the daughter of Ikuei Yamamoto, who represented Japan at wrestling in the 1972 Munich Olympics. She is also a World Champion in wrestling, but since female wrestling was not a sport at the Olympics at the time did not get the chance to participate.

Miu and her son get ready to challenge for Olympic Gold

Her son, now 12, who is with her in the above photo, is hoping to represent Japan at the Tokyo 2016 Olympics and has a dream of winning the Gold Medal for his family and country.

Only 100 days to wait

The official Countdown Clock was unveiled today marking the run down from 100 days to the decision on which city will host the Olympic and Parlympic Games for 2016.

Will Tokyo be the winner in 2016 ? It’s too early to tell, but by the time the clock ticks down to 0 we will find out.

On hand today for the official countdown were official members of the Tokyo 2016 Bid campaign as well as Saori Yoshida, the Japanese 2004 and 2008 Gold Medalist in wrestling.

Great photo of Saori Yoshida competing from Tim Hipps on wikimedia

The Countdown Clock is located on the 1st floor of the Tokyo Kokusai Forum. Nearest station is Yurakucho.

The colorful information counter at Kokusai Forum

The modern glass ceiling at Tokyo Kokusai Forum

A closer look at the ceiling

The Tokyo Kokusai Forum is planned as the site for the Weightlifting competition in 2016 if the Tokyo 2016 Bid is successful.

What will you be doing over the next 100 days ? Are you also counting down to something big ?

The decision to run this “Earth Marathon” is Kanpei’s way of showing his commitment and passion for bringing the Olympic games to Tokyo! You can visit the Kanpei Earth Marathon Supporters blog to join him on his journey and see how he gets on.

In keeping with the Olympic spirit and as a mark of respect for the Olympic values, Kanpei’s route will take him through 2 of the other bidding cities, Madrid and Chicago.

On an average day on land, Kanpei will run approximately 50km over ten hours while by boat he has a total of 16,000km to sail. It’s a huge challenge that is due to finish in March 2011.

If you’re going to be in the area that he is running why not go along and cheer him on.

But I’m sure the autograph didn’t excite the young boy and his classmates as much as getting to run around with an origami Olympic torch and watch Ueyama-san fly through the air as he demonstrated his prowess on the trampoline.

Ueyama-san’s performance at the kindergarten was much more relaxed but equally impressive as the one on this video and he really wowed the children.  Much to their delight, some of the students got to bounce with him on the trampoline after his performance.

Read more about the day at Fuduka Kindergarten on Shibuya246.