(ATR) The president of the International Canoeing Federation tells Around the Rings that he is confident that the Tokyo 2020 competition will not have to be moved after discussions with organizers.
Last month, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government task force recommended that events including rowing and canoeing be moved from their proposed venues due to spiraling costs.
The Tokyo panel projected that the Sea Forest venue in Tokyo Bay could cost $490 million to build. That number is in stark contrast to the $78 million cost estimate by the TMG for the venue in the 2020 bid book.
However, after meeting with Tokyo 2020 officials in Lausanne this week, Jose Perurena told ATR that the ICF has proposed having a temporary venue instead at the same place to lower the costs.
"We have a recommendation to analyze all the costs and some costs are possible to reduce by minimum of 50 percent because we can have a temporary venue at the Olympic Games," Perurena said. "The most important thing is to continue at Sea Forest venue.
"There are three different scenarios: a proper venue for a big legacy, a temporary venue that doesn’t have a big legacy or we go out. I think the second proposal is the best. We analyzed the venues and all the costs and we don’t need it for the Olympic Games. Perhaps in the future, but this is the situation now. I expect this will reduce the cost plan for Tokyo."
Perurena confirmed that meetings had taken place in his office in Lausanne with members of Tokyo 2020’s technical committee. He added: "I expect in December is when we make this final decision to continue in Sea Forest."
In the recommendations delivered to Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike, the panel had suggested the option of moving rowing and canoeing to the Naganuma site in Tome city, which is almost 250 miles north of Tokyo.
Perurena was adamant that that option need not be exercised but said he "understood" the need of politicians to analyze every aspect of the budget for the Games.
In the task force’s report, it is included the prospect of downgrading the Sea Forest venue to a temporary facility which it said could come in at around $300 million. But the panel of experts maintained that moving competition to Tome City was the most cost effective solution.
Members of the International Rowing Federation are understood to have also met with Tokyo officials this week to discuss plans that would be preferable to moving their sport in 2020.
Written by Christian Radnedgein Lausanne
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