A journalist silhouette is seen during a press conference of Japanese Olympic medallists and former athletes to promote Tokyo for 2020 Olympic games on September 5, 2013 in Buenos Aires. Fears over radiation from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant and fall-out from the bloody civil war in Syria are hanging over Tokyo and Istanbul's attempts to host the 2020 Olympics, amid suggestions that third candidate city Madrid could benefit.
The International Olympics Committee will hold a vote in Buenos Aires on Friday to decide the host of the 2020 Olympics. According to oddschecker.com, a site that gathers odds from Internet betting sites, Tokyo bests its competitors at 11-10 (meaning a successful bet of $10 will return $11 plus the original stake). Madrid follows at 11-4 and Istanbul 5-1.
Throughout the past week, the three cities’ delegations have had to face questions on their preparedness and ability to host the summer games. Istanbul has been queried about recent anti-government riots and possible fallout of the war in Syria; Madrid on its struggle with rampant unemployment; and concern has been raised over possible radiation in Tokyo from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.
The winning city can expect a $500 million boost to the local economy.