Ahead of a vote here on Saturday (September 7) which forms part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session Tokyo's bid has come under late fire due to the ongoing situation concerning radiation levels at the Fukushima nuclear power station.

But, by delivering a strong message emphasising how the fine principles of sport will be promoted around Japan and the rest of the world, a strong case was made for the cities credentials.

Encompassing a wide variety of ages and disciplines the athletes ranged from Tokyo 1964 football veteran Saburo Kawabuchi to the swimmer Mayumi Narita, who won a stunning 15 gold medals at three different Paralympic Games.

The message conveyed related specifically to inspiring youth, promoting the right values and inspiring people across Japanese society as well as in the rest of the world.

One of the athletes present was fencer Yuki Ota [standing] who is also a bid ambassador for Tokyo 2020 and is a key component of their bid



One key dimension addressed was anti-doping and this is an area in which Japan has a very strong record - particularly in comparison with rivals Turkey and Madrid.

"I am proud that no Japanese athlete has ever failed a doping test at the Olympic and Paralympic Games - Japan has a perfect record," said the double medal winning fencer Yuki Ota.

"Our excellent anti-doping record is built on a longstanding dedication to integrity and fair play.

"Today anti-doping education begins in the school curriculum and helps create the strong anti-doping culture that exists in Japan.

"Long ago we took action and I believe our commitment to anti-doping is the ultimate example of how to uphold the integrity of sport."

This was a message evoked further by the Seoul 1988 Olympic champion and current President of the Japanese Swimming Federation Daichi Suzuki:

He said that "we don't understand why we would cheat", that it is "not a Japanese characteristic and that "we just do not think about it."

Budding Japanese youngsters such as these are educated about the right sporting values from an early age


Unsurprisingly the Fukushima issue was not completely avoided and a similar message reiterating how radioactivity levels in Tokyo are "normal" and that there is "no issue regarding the health of the people" was repeated once again.

Much is resting on the arrival of the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe here tomorrow.

He will travel directly from St Petersburg where he is currently attending a G20 leaders conference.

The fact that sport is the best way to solve problems like Fukushima and to bring people together was the definitive message put forward.

This was best illustrated by the London 2012 swimming medalist Ryosuke Irie who described how sport is still helping the country recovery from the effects of the 2011 earthquake which first gave rise to the radioactivity issue.

"I received an email from someone in hospital before coming here to Buenos Aires," he said.

"In the disaster area many are watching us and we are able to encourage them this way and by excelling at the Olympics we show the power of sport.

"If I can make alot of people smile by being here and winning the bid then we are doing something to help."