Tokyo 2016 Gets Backing From OCA President

Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was boosted by the public backing of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in front of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across Asia at the 28th OCA General Assembly being held in Singapore.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from Kuwait said, "we wish success to the Asian city of Tokyo for its (host city) election next October (2009) in Copenhagen".

Following the meeting the Washington Post reports he said, "Asia will always support any city from Asia. They're doing a great job making progress toward a successful bid".

Tokyo 2016 is attending the OCA General Assembly, led by Chair and CEO Dr. Ichiro Kono, along with Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo and President of Tokyo 2016 and Tsunekazu Takeda, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and Vice President of Tokyo 2016.

Ishihara said, "we are delighted that one of our friends in Asia chose to publicly express his support for Tokyo 2016 during today-s Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly. It brings yet more inspiration for the bid, and on behalf of Tokyo 2016 I wish to express my sincere thanks to President Ahmad and all the participants here for their support. We feel there is a fair wind on our backs in the final stages of the race for the Games".

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