The Olympic flag arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday as Japan's capital gears up to host the 2020 Games, with officials promising smooth sailing after Rio's sometimes shaky 2016 instalment. After stepping off a plane from the Brazilian host city, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike carried the flag at a ceremony at the city's Haneda airport. Tokyo last hosted the summer Olympics in 1964, underscoring Japan's post-war coming out party as it grew into a global economic powerhouse. Abe pledged in Rio that he will work hard to host the best Games yet but Tokyo's Olympic preparations have suffered high-profile setbacks including soaring costs and having to redesign the Games logo after accusations of plagiarism. French prosecutors have also launched an investigation into alleged bribes linked to Tokyo's winning Olympic bid, which organisers have denied.

Source: dna August 24, 2016 07:52 UTC