(ATR) UCI president Brian Cookson tells Around the Rings he remains "very concerned" about plans by Tokyo 2020 to move cycling venues to Izu.
Cookson held talks with the IOC and Tokyo 2020 officials in Kuala Lumpur last week on the sidelines of the IOC Session. Further talks are planned in the weeks ahead. The UCI Management Committee will discuss the matter in a meeting at the end of September.
"We are still very concerned about the choice we are being given, which is not much of a choice really to move everything out to Izu," Cookson told ATR in the Malaysian capital.
"Two-and-a-half hours out of Tokyo is considerably different from the bid."
Tokyo 2020 plans to tear up its bid book plans and move the velodrome and BMX venues from a central city location in Tokyo to Izu – more than 130km from the Japanese capital – mainly to save costs.
The UCI is unhappy with the proposals to relocate its popular sports events so far from the main Olympic hub and has expressed concerns about low spectator capacities and cycling’s post-Games legacy.
Cookson recently presented three alternative venue proposals within the Tokyo metropolitan area for the velodrome. The UCI says it would cost less than the $52 million it would take to modify Izu's existing facility.
For BMX, the UCI has presented two other options, while the UCI is pushing hard for the Sea Forest South site to be used for the mountain bike course.
With Tokyo 2020 seeking to lock down the venue by the end of September, the UCI feels it is being rushed and that its alternative proposals are not being given the consideration they deserve.
"We want to do a proper analysis of the options," Cookson told ATR.
Reported by Mark Bisson
Homepage photo: Getty Images
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