Tokyo Governor Reveals Volleyball Venue Plans

(ATR) The decision to build a new venue or use an existing one for 2020 Games will be finalized on Dec. 21. 

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) talks with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike after their meeting at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office in Tokyo on October 18, 2016. Bach is in Tokyo to look at preparations ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. / AFP / TORU YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images)

(ATR) Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike will reportedly be developing a new venue for volleyball matches at Tokyo 2020.

Japanese media reports she has decided to build a new facility, called the Ariake Arena, near Tokyo Bay.

Koike is expected to announce her decision during a press conference on Dec.16. At that time, Koike aims to highlight the reduction of $348 million when reviewing the cost of venues, according to reports.

The arena's construction needs to be finalized by the four-party working group that is reviewing the budget for the Games. The group includes the IOC, Tokyo Metropolitan and Japanese governments and the Tokyo Organizing Committee. The group is set to hold a teleconference on Dec. 21.

In an effort to save money, the idea to use the existing Yokohama Arena located south of Tokyo was proposed in a meeting on Nov. 29. The working group decided to delay the decision to choose between the two arenas until around Dec. 25.

During the Nov. 29 meeting it was agreed to build a newwaterway for rowing/canoe sprint and an aquatics center for swimming.

Written by Courtney Colquitt

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