An expert panel commissioned by Tokyo has warned that the total games for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics could exceed 30 billion dollars unless drastic cost-cutting measures are taken.
The panel, which said the costs reflected an absence of leadership, cost-control and governance, urged for changes to three venues for the 2020 Olympics in the face of ballooning costs, but organisers say such adjustments may prove difficult to instigate in time for the Games.
Headed by a Keio University professor, the panel was launched by newly-elected Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike after she raised concerns about ever-growing unofficial cost estimates and the potential burden on the city and its taxpayers.
Tokyo Embarrassed Four Years Before Games
The report reviewed three out of seven permanent venues that Tokyo is planning to build, and proposed using existing locations rather than new facilities that could end up being white elephants.
The proposed changes, which could include moving rowing and canoeing some 400 km from Tokyo, would require the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and each sport's international federation.
They are the latest in a series of embarrassing setbacks and broken promises for organisers, who won the bid largely on Japan's reputation for efficiency.
Tokyo's bid proposal, for example, said some 85 percent of venues would be within 8 km (5 miles) of the Olympic Village in central Tokyo.
The panel report said:
Given the current situation, costs could run over $29 billion.
Rio was the victim a number of criticism due to security issues and other shortcomings. Thus, it would be interesting to see how Tokyo, deemed to be extremely efficient, performs in the 2020 Games.
(With inputs from AP and Reuters.)
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