(ATR) The head of the IOC panel overseeing plans for Tokyo 2020 confirms at least one venue is changing from the bid.
John Coates, IOC vice president and chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, says the canoe slalom venue planned at a park on the waterfront near Tokyo Bay will now be built at another location in the vicinity, assuming approval from the International Canoe Federation.
Coates spoke at a closing press conference for the first full meeting of the coordination commission since it was named last October. The commission has been meeting in Tokyo for three days.
Coates says the IOC has been aware of public opposition to the canoe venue near Tokyo Bay, environmental concerns among the issues.
"We want to see venues that are sustainable…and sustainable legacies. We want to see the use of more existing venues. We want the use of more temporary grandstands," Coates said about the IOC philosophy towards venues needed for the 28 sports on the program for Tokyo, not just canoeing.
He says the ICF is being consulted and that he hoped a site nearby the original venue on Tokyo Bay would meet sustainability demands. Coates said the deadline he set for all venue changes in Tokyo will be in the fourth quarter of the year when the IOC holds a project review in Tokyo.
In an email message, Simon Toulson, secretary-general of the ICF, says the Federation understands the concerns and is working to find a venue everybody will be happy with.
"We are aware of the potential changes due to some protected environmental areas on the original layout. The slalom course stays in the same area it is being realigned slightly to give us more scope to play with for the spectator and back of house areas. We don’t see it as a major problem from what we understand. The ICF is waiting for Tokyo 2020 to invite us to have a detailed examination of the land and the plans required for the venue but we believe the amendment will be good for all," Toulson tells ATR..
Heavily rumored in Tokyo are changes to basketball, badminton, water polo and perhaps other sports. Asked specifically about those he would only say: "it’s all in the mix, all in the mix".
The most controversial move could involve basketball. A new arena built for basketball world championships in Saitama, an hour west of Tokyo, is said to be under consideration to avoid building a new arena in Tokyo. But Coates stressed venue changes need IF consent.
"That is critical."
Tokyo 2020 President YoshiroMori said all federations will be consulted if venue changes are necessary. And for him he made it clear that spending by Tokyo 2020 must be kept under control.
"This is crucial. Why? Japanese citizens, also the Tokyo residents, their tax revenues are used for the Olympics. And the Olympics must give joy to the people," he said through an interpreter at the press conference.
Coates was totally upbeat in his assessment of how Tokyo 2020 has conducted its work since winning the Games last September.
"We are very pleased with the progress being made by President Mori and his team," he said.
Coates said the level of involvement from all levels of Japanese government during this visit was impressive. The commission met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other national government leaders connected to the Games. Thursday night they were the guests of Crown Princess Hisako for dinner. She represented the Imperial Family during the bid campaign for 2020, speaking in Buenos Aires last year at the final presentation to the IOC.
IOC commission member Irena Szewinska said sayonara to Tokyo 2020 at the final meeting Friday morning. As an 18-year-old in 1964 she became a phenom for Poland at the Tokyo Olympics winning two silver medals and a gold in athletics. There is no one on the IOC commission or staff of Tokyo 2020 who has such a link to the 1964 Games.
"I looked at the stands and saw all the people, I could not believe I was in the Olympic Games," she says, the fulfillment of a dream.
"So I said thank you Tokyo 1964. I am very proud to be a member of this commission and to come back."
Written and reported in Tokyo by Ed Hula.
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