International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach will meet newly-appointed Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike over shifting a few events of 2020 Games from Japan to South Korea.
After taking office in August, Koike suggested a change in venues of three events during a review of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics expenses. Rowing and canoe/kayak sprint events are likely to be moved 400km north of Tokyo to save costs of coming up with new facilities in the city to host them, according to the Reuters.
Notably, the estimated cost for the Games has shot up to $29.95bn, which is four times the initial estimate made when the hosting rights was awarded to Tokyo in 2013, the report reveals.
The IOC, if fails to reach an agreement with the Tokyo officials over the rowing site [Sea Forest Waterway] in the city will then opt for South Korean city of Chungju, at which the rowing events of the 2014 Asian Games were held.
Tokyo organisers, who had reportedly confirmed the availability of the Sea Forest Waterway for the Games have been allowed to review the original plans under a reform known as "Olympic Agenda 2020", which allows host nations to make use of facilities in other cities and countries for financial sustainability.
Notably, the cycling events of the Games will be held in one such changed venue, which is 200km west of the capital city. However, Tokyo Olympic committee's spokesperson, Hikariko Ono, maintained that they had never considered moving the events outside Japan.
"The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee considers that the Sea Forest Waterway is the best possible venue for these sports," Hikariko said in a statement, as quoted by the Reuters.
"Tokyo 2020 has never considered outside Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Games rowing and canoeing competitions."
