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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2011 > Tokyo Photo News July 2011
Tokyo Sports Town 2011
On July 30, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held Tokyo Sports Town 2011, a large-scale event that allows visitors to try their hand at various sports in the center of Tokyo. This year's event took place inside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Special areas were set up for the horizontal bar, balance beam, floor exercises, track and field, trampoline, fencing, blind soccer, kabaddi, and climbing, with top-level athletes putting on demonstrations for the crowd to see. Children were also able to try the various events and test their skills against the athletes, providing them the chance to experience the fun of sports under the coaching of top athletes.
Photo: Demonstration by a fencer (July 30)
Tokyo to bid again for the Olympics
On July 16, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced its intention to bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Governor Ishihara delivered a speech at a reception held at a Tokyo hotel celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Sports Association and the Japanese Olympic Committee. In his speech, the Governor spoke passionately about making "reconstruction" the theme for the Olympics, with the aim to show the world Japan's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Photo: Governor Ishihara shaking hands with IOC President Jacques Rogge (right) after officially announcing Tokyo's bid for the Olympics
Nadeshiko Japan calls on Governor
On July 20, the head coach and players of Nadeshiko Japan, which achieved a historic victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany after defeating the United States in the finals, paid a courtesy call on Governor Ishihara. The Governor thanked the players as he shook their hands one by one, commenting, "You really did a good job. Thank you. " After a pleasant chat, the players presented the Governor with a uniform with all of their signatures.
Photo: (From left) Saki Kumagai, Governor Ishihara, Aya Sameshima, and Head Coach Norio Sasaki
Water bus "Kawasemi" launches services
Water bus "Kawasemi" commenced services from July 22 under the catchphrase, "Touring Rivers, Touring Bridges." Traditionally, water buses operate on major rivers such as Sumidagawa and Arakawa, but the Kawasemi has undergone renovations to achieve a more compact size and lower roof so that it can navigate the Onagigawa, Nihonbashigawa, and other narrow rivers, and also pass under bridges. The concept for the Kawasemi's services is "Newly Discover Edo-Tokyo."
Photo: Kawasemi passes under Tokiwabashi Bridge (July 7)
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