The Japan Sport Council, owners of the iconic Kasumigaoka National Stadium, today announced the launch of an international design competition to update and remodel the venue in preparation for Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Bid and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
With a prize money of 20 million Yen, the Kasumigaoka National Stadium International Design Contest’s Panel includes key figures from Japan’s architecture, sport and art fields, including world-renowned architect and Tokyo 2020 Council member Tadao Ando; Japan Football Association Honorary Chairman Junji Ogura; Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers Chairman Shunichi Tokura; and Tokyo 2020 Executive Board member and former Tokyo 2016 bid leader Dr. Ichiro Kono. The international side is represented by architecture heavyweights Richard Rogers, the artist behind the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and Norman Foster, the designer of the new Wembley Stadium in London.
In opting for remodelling rather than rebuilding, the Council aims to maintain the stadium’s role as a centre for sport, culture, and art in Tokyo while upgrading the hospitality services available and expanding its functionality. The successful design should balance the preservation of the venue’s important historical legacy with the addition of leading-edge amenities, in a very Japanese combination of tradition and innovation that will keep the much-loved facility relevant for plenty of years. The winner of the international design contest will be decided at the end of November this year.
Built for the 1964 Olympic Games and still in use today, the stadium has come to symbolise the technical excellence synonymous with Japan. The refurbishment, to be completed by 2019, will restore Kasumigaoka National Stadium to its place as one of the most advanced stadiums in the world and a superlative platform for the Games. The cutting-edge, all-weather facility will have an increased capacity of 80,000, making it ideal for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Football and Rugby at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Masato Mizuno, JOC Vice President and CEO of Tokyo 2020 said: "Tokyo 2020’s long-standing dream to once again host the Olympic and Paralympic Games has found a wonderful synergy with the heritage of the 1964 Games. Much like the athletes who compete and like the Games themselves, Tokyo 2020 seeks to respect and preserve tradition while always striving to improve and push beyond the limitations of the past."
(Mr) Masa Takaya
Communications Manager, Japanese Olympic Committee
Acting Communications Director, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee
(Ms) Hiromi Sato
Manager, International Communications, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee
Phone: 03-6279-0049 / Fax: 03-6279-0157 / pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp
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