Tokyo Photo News March 2009

"Tokyo Snow Style," an event to provide an opportunity for children to experience snow sports, was held at the TMG Citizens’ Plaza on March 7 （土曜日） and 8 （日曜日）. Demonstrations by skiers included freestyle pipe techniques on the 15-meter-high quarter pipe with a 45 degree inclination. The audience cheered enthusiastically as the athletes skied down the slope and soared dynamically into the air.

On March 1, the upper deck expressway of the Rainbow Bridge was closed to traffic for the "Tokyo Rainbow Walk." The event was organized by the TMG and the Japan Walking Association to gain support for the bid to host the 2016 Olympics. The approximately 7-kilometer course started from the Odaiba Marine Park in Minato Ward, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and then doubling back. Despite rainy weather, the enthusiasm for Tokyo’s Olympic bid was high among the approximately 5,000 participants, some even in wheelchairs and on crutches.

The 3rd annual Tokyo Marathon, a run straight through the heart of Tokyo, was held on March 22. The total number of participants this year for the full marathon and the 10-kilometer race was a record 35,000, including wheelchair racers and guest runners from abroad. Runners were hindered by strong winds and rain during the race when the weather took a turn for the worse, but most were able to finish the race supported by the rooting of spectators and the help of race volunteers. Ninety-seven percent of all participants were able to make it to the finish line.

Photo: The marathon starts from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building.

A campaign to promote Tokyo’s bid to host the Olympics started on March 16 with the cooperation of taxi companies in Tokyo. Stickers promoting the bid will be placed on 57,000 taxis for 200 days until October 2, when the host city of the 2016 Olympics will be chosen. To launch this campaign, a ceremony marking the occasion was held in Daiba, Minato Ward, attended by wrestler Kyoko Hamaguchi, her father ‘Animal’ Hamaguchi, and Paralympic swimmer Mayumi Narita.

Photo: Mayumi Narita applying a sticker as ‘Animal’ Hamaguchi sends off the taxis by shouting words of encouragement: "Get pumped up! It’s Tokyo in 2016!"