IOC Approves Fukushima for Tokyo Olympic Baseball, Softball

(ATR) Fukushima gets IOC backing to become an additional venue for baseball and softball at the Tokyo Games.

The IOC’s ruling body approved Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium, which Tokyo’s Olympic organizers and the World Baseball Softball Confederation say will support recovery efforts in the Tohoku region hit by the 2011 earthquake.

"This is a great opportunity to bring the spirit of the Olympic Games to this region, which was affected by the tsunami in 2011," IOC president Thomas Bach told a press conference Friday wrapping up a two-day executive board meeting.

"It is also an expression of solidarity of the Olympic Movement with the people in this region who are suffering from the consequences of this disaster. We are really happy that we could approve this, following the discussions I had during my last visit to Japan with Prime Minister Abe," he added.

Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori told media after his presentation to the IOC board that EB members had agreed to plans to host a qualifying game in Fukushima, "probably the opening game".

By hosting Olympic baseball and softball events, Fukushima "will have a great platform to show the world the extent of its recovery in the 10 years since the disaster," he added. "It will also be a wonderful chance for us to show our gratitude towards those who assisted in the region’s reconstruction. And I’m sure the people of Fukushima are also looking forward very much to seeing Olympics events hosted there."

WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari welcomed the announcement to use baseball and softball "as a vehicle to inspire hope and highlight the regeneration in Fukushima".

"It is a tremendous honor and a duty we take very seriously to be a part of something so meaningful."

The Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium will be renovated for the 2020 Games, extending its legacy for future generations of baseball and softball athletes and fans in the region. A number of Nippon Professional Baseball games have been held at this stadium.

Tokyo 2020 and WBSC will work together with the aim of staging Olympic matches featuring the Japanese national baseball and softball teams at the venue in Fukushima.

Yokohama Stadium remains as the primary venue to host baseball and softball competitions.

The addition of Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium brings the number of Tokyo 2020 Games venues to a total of 40. These include eight new permanent venues, 23 existing sites and nine temporary venues.

2020 Budget, Golf Controversy

Speaking about Tokyo 2020’s budget, subject to serious scrutiny amid concerns over a hike in spending, Bach noted the work of the government and organizing committee to slash costs to around $15.2 billion.

The cutbacks follow talks between the four-party Working Group last year, which consists of the IOC, Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese government. A further reduction in the overall Games budget is expected.

Bach also spoke about the controversial gender equality issue surrounding the Kasumigaseki Country Club, which is staging men's and women's golf at the 2020 Olympics. The IOC chief said unless a solution was found to lift the ban on women as members, another golf course would be chosen.

The golf club is due to make a decision at a board meeting in the coming weeks.

"The [IOC] executive board made it clear that the Olympic Games are about non-discrimination in every respect," said Bach. "We were pleased to hear that the executive board of the golf club is meeting to discuss the proposed changes and then to hopefully grant the same rights to women so that we can have gender quality and approve this venue."

A Tokyo 2020 delegation updated the IOC Executive Board on Games progress including the construction of the new Olympic Stadium, which is said to be on schedule.

Reported by Mark Bisson and Hironori Hashimoto

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