Tokyo Olympic organizers dump plans for $2-billion stadium
An artist’s rendering of the original stadium design for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Plans for the project have been scrapped after construction costs spiraled out of control.
Japanese officials have abruptly scrapped their plans for a massive, expensive stadium they planned to build for the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The proposed 80,000-seat venue — whose design resembled a giant bicycle helmet — had been a flash point for debate in recent months as the estimated price of construction steadily rose to $2 billion.
“We have decided to go back to the start on the Tokyo Olympics-Paralympics stadium plan, and start over from zero,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Friday after meeting with an Olympic organizing committee leader. “The cost has ballooned just too much.”
The International Olympic Committee voiced its support for the move, noting the proposed design did not fit with recent IOC reforms that emphasize making the Games more cost-efficient for host cities.
In a statement, IOC official John Coates said his organization looks forward to seeing “a feasible solution that will offer a state of the art stadium with top level conditions for athletes and spectators.”
Tokyo organizers believe they can choose a new design and build the venue in time for the 2020 Games. But the change could affect the World Rugby Cup, which will take place in Tokyo in 2019.
Follow David Wharton on Twitter @LATimesWharton
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