Olympic organizers considering cheaper venues for 2020 Tokyo Games

As Olympic officials finished their first on-site review of preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there remained questions about a potential change in the overall plan for building venues.

The International Olympic Committee’s coordination commission wrapped up its visit to Japan on Friday by announcing it was “very pleased.”

But with projected costs already rising, organizers are considering cheaper alternatives to venues that would host sports such as basketball, badminton and canoe slalom.

“Based on such aspects as the kind of legacy we will leave, the impact of the Games on the lives of Tokyo residents and the cost of construction and maintenance of the venues, the organizing committee will examine all issues closely,” Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said in a statement.

Mori acknowledged that IOC executives “did point out one or two things that need addressing.”

IOC coordination commission chair John Coates assured that “the organizing committee and its government partners have got off to a quick start and are putting in place solid foundations for the next six years of preparations.”

The IOC will travel to Japan 10 times in all, with the next visit planned for next year.