Fukushima’s new governor is following the lead of his predecessor, hoping the site of 2011 nuclear plant meltdowns caused by an earthquake and tsunami can be part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Governor Masao Uchibori told the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that Fukushima hopes to host preliminary events for the Olympics, according to Kyodo News.
“We need to set a goal so that we can show how much Fukushima has recovered,” Uchibori said, according to the report.
Tokyo’s Governor seemed opened to the idea.
“The Olympics is meant to show to the world the Tohoku region’s reconstruction,” Yoichi Masuzoe said, according to the report. “We want to cooperate as much as possible.”
Uchibori didn’t mention specific sports or events. Olympic soccer matches are often held outside the Olympic host city. Manchester and Glasgow, among other cities, hosted soccer matches during the London 2012 Games.
In June, Fukushima’s previous governor said he wanted the Tokyo Olympic torch relay to pass through Fukushima, which is 155 miles north of Tokyo.
