Now available for free download from the ‘Utilities’ section of the iPhone’s App Store, Tokyo 2016 Bid Countdown marks the approach of 2 October when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will select the 2016 host city at a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. The application brings users a variety exciting Tokyo 2016-related functions, including news updates and a new blog as well as the countdown calendar and clock. Bilingual support is available in both English and Japanese.

On milestone dates – such as ’50 days to go’, entry to the final month and the 10th day before the decision – the application displays special decorative graphics in Japanese style.

Tokyo 2016 chief Internet officer Takao Ozawa said, “I am very excited by the release of the Tokyo 2016 Bid Countdown application today. A highly user-friendly application, the app makes it easier than ever before for our Bid’s huge number of passionate supporters to access the very latest Tokyo 2016 news and information. We are sure that iPhone users around the world will enjoy this new illustration of the cutting-edge technology at the heart of the Bid.”

Tokyo 2016 chairman and CEO Dr Ichiro Kono added, “The Tokyo 2016 iPhone application brings up-to-the-minute Bid news on one of the most popular consumer technology formats anywhere, and is therefore another example of how we are setting the stage for heroes with a Games at the heart of everyday life. From the ultra-compact and sustainable Tokyo 2016 venues plan to the use of cutting edge technology to ensure Japan’s dynamic capital city is fully accessible to visitors from across the world, our Bid is innovating at every turn to ensure a memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.”