The Fight for the Olympic Flame

With only nine days before the International Olympic Committee makes its decision on the 2016 Summer Games, I thought it would be fitting to comment on the marketing efforts being done in Tokyo for their candidate city bid, especially since we are a Chicago-based program. 

While Japanese newspapers report that Tokyo has the lowest amount of public support out of the four candidate cities (Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janiero being the others), one could certainly think differently when just walking around.  Everywhere we went we saw flags, banners and subway advertisements touting the city’s campaign slogan: “Uniting Our Worlds”.   Every staff member of our hotel staff wore an Olympic bid pin.  They even had baskets filled with pins at the reception and concierge desk for guests to take.  (Family beware, you’ll be getting one with your Christmas gifts this year!) 

Maybe the Japanese are very good at hiding their true emotions to visitors, especially ones from the other front-running city, but I couldn’t help but feel the pride Tokyoans had for their city and the possibility of hosting this international sporting competition.  Sure, I’d love for Chicago to win the bid, but if Tokyo gets the nod I think a second trip to Japan may be in order.

Reposted from The Real World: IMC blog (September 23, 2009)