Horse jumping @ Baji Park: Oct. 16, 2016

Confusion continues over the competition sites and other facilities to be used in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. Whether the boat races will be held in Tokyo or Miyagi or other prefectures is not clear as of today (Oct 16, 2016).

The equestrian competitions were expected to be held in the area close to Tokyo Bay in the original plan proposed to the International Olympic Committee before 2013. However, the plan was changed as it was too optimistic (financially and from the view of the environment etc.) and a new decision was made to hold equestrian competitions in Baji Park, or Equestrian Park, in Setagaya ward, western Tokyo.

Baji Park opened in 1940. It was developed to hold the Tokyo Olympic Games planned in 1940 (it was cancelled because of World War 2). The park was used 24 years later as a site of equestrian competitions in 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.

It will host the competition in 2020 for the second time.

The jumping competitions to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Games were held today. Top-level horses and equestrians gathered.

They jumped nearly 20 hurdles in about 80 seconds. I heard strong snorts of the horses as they ran away in front of me.

The sly was blue.

Families enjoyed a fine autumn day.

The park will be closed shortly to construct new facilities for the Olympic Games. It will be used for the games, and will reopen to the public in 2021.