Tokyo 2020: The calm after the storm

Tokyo 2020: The calm after the storm

Tokyo recently secured the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, beating bids from the other two candidate cities, Istanbul and Madrid, despite concerns regarding Tokyo's proximity to Fukushima following the nuclear disaster that occurred in March 2011.

The Japanese capital will become the first Asian city to host the Games twice, following in the footsteps of London, Paris and Athens, but the decision comes at a time when Japan is still reeling from the fallout generated from the largest nuclear meltdown since the infamous Chernobyl disaster of 1986.

One of the fundamental principles laid out in the Olympic charter is "to encourage and support a reasonable concern for environmental issues". With Fukishima and Tokyo less than 150 miles apart, the environmental issues surrounding the spill will be under close scrutiny and the lens will continue to magnify as the deadline draws ever closer.

Japan are attempting to deal with the remediation effort but have faced difficulties thus far. In July 2013 they suffered a major setback, as it was announced that radioactive water had been leaking into the Pacific Ocean since the original incident. More damning still was news that the operator of the plant, TEPCO, knew about the spill the whole time and decided to keep quiet.

For now, the International Olympic Committee seem to have been appeased. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to spend $300m to deal with the clean-up and they have a substantial amount of time before the torch arrives in Tokyo.

Residents who live in the "no-return-zones" surrounding the plant were told they must wait at least five years before it's safe to go near their homes, with the Olympics scheduled to arrive just four years after.

The safety of both competitors and fans must be of paramount importance to the IOC, but Japan would be the ones to face condemnation from the international community if they aren't able to facilitate a safe environment for one of the biggest events in the world, especially after they have pledged that the capital will be radiation-free.

 Tokyo first hosted the Summer Games in 1964, after the postponement of the 1940 Tokyo Games, (which were eventually moved to runners-up Helsinki) following Japan's involvement in WWII. The 64' games were a resounding success and helped Japan to become the economic powerhouse that we know today.

After the decision was announced, Abe said "Japan needs hopes and dreams". With the problems the country have recently faced, the Olympics will hopefully give Japan, Tokyo and the Fukushima effort the same boost felt by London, England and Great Britain in the build up and aftermath of London 2012.