The Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) expressed surprise on Wednesday at the IOC’s decision to postpone the venue decision for the 2030 Winter Olympics.of which the city of Sapporo in Japan is a candidate.
“I was actually surprised“, JOC president Yasuhiro Yamashita said in statements collected by local agency Jiji.
The city in northern Japan “has most of the facilities already built and available for reforms”said Yamashita, who also emphasized that the Asian country’s management capacity was “appreciated” after holding the Tokyo summer Games last year.
“We will continue to negotiate with the IOC on the agenda and the specific procedures after yesterday’s decision“, said the mayor of Sapporo, Katsuhiro Akimoto, in statements collected by the NHK chain.
The JOC chief also described as “fantasy” the possibility that growing legal problems affecting the organization of Tokyo 2020 and related entities could derail Sapporo’s bid.
Japanese authorities have made several arrests of former members of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and from companies subcontracted by that entity on suspicion of being involved in a bribery network related to the provision of sponsorships for the event.
Japanese advertising giant Dentsu, dotted with alleged bribes, is also the subject of a parallel investigation into apparent irregularities in bids to organize the test events of the previous Olympics Games in the capital of Japan.
The open causes are added to a long list of scandals the organization has dealt withAdded to the perception that the Winter Games could cause inconvenience for Sapporo residents, this has weakened popular support for Japan’s 2030 bid, even as its supporters insist on continuing with the project.
The IOC decided on Tuesday that the decision on the venue of the 2030 Winter Games will not be voted on at the 2023 Sessionas planned, but later.
The IOC cited the need for more time to discuss the challenges posed by climate change and the sustainability of the Winter Olympics as one reason.
Along with Sapporo, the candidate cities to organize the 2030 edition are Salt Lake City (USA) and Vancouver (Canada).
The three candidates are expected to know this month which of them will enter the next stage of “directed dialogue” with the IOC to develop a solvent and sustainable project.
Source: La Verdad
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