InsideJapan News Network
Tuesday,
3rd
March
2009
In Sports,
In Sports,
Thousands cross Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge to boost Olympics bid
More than 5,000 people, including some prominent Japanese athletes, walked across Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge recently to promote the cities bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Among those who took part in the event were popular table tennis star Ai Fukuhara.
Each of the participants wore scarves and gloves featuring the five colours of the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, three helicopters from the Japanese capital's fire department flew in formation over the walkers.
To allow the event to go ahead, the Rainbow Bridge section of the expressway was closed to traffic for first time since it was first opened 16 years ago.
Some have speculated that Chicago is the frontrunner to win the right to stage the games in 2016, particularly as the city has strong connections to the new US president Barack Obama.
However, Patrick Sandusky, a Chicago 2016 spokesman, told the BBC: "Having one person elected to office won't sway a voter to vote for us."
Among those who took part in the event were popular table tennis star Ai Fukuhara.
Each of the participants wore scarves and gloves featuring the five colours of the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, three helicopters from the Japanese capital's fire department flew in formation over the walkers.
To allow the event to go ahead, the Rainbow Bridge section of the expressway was closed to traffic for first time since it was first opened 16 years ago.
Some have speculated that Chicago is the frontrunner to win the right to stage the games in 2016, particularly as the city has strong connections to the new US president Barack Obama.
However, Patrick Sandusky, a Chicago 2016 spokesman, told the BBC: "Having one person elected to office won't sway a voter to vote for us."
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