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October 20, 2016

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Bach ducks Korea questions on hosting rowing events

INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach yesterday dodged questions over reports some Tokyo 2020 events could be held in South Korea, a move which would further embarrass beleaguered Games organizers.

The IOC is considering staging rowing and canoeing in the South Korean city of Chungju, according to Japanese media, as they try to slash a Tokyo 2020 budget which has skyrocketed to an estimated US$28 billion — four times that of the initial bid.

But Bach was hurriedly ushered out of a scheduled press briefing in Tokyo after answering prepared questions from Tokyo Olympic officials that hinted at further friction between local organizers and city politicians.

With the Korean bombshell, which cited unnamed sources, making headlines, a media gathering was quickly shut down as nervous Tokyo organizers refused to allow more than 100 journalists to question Bach about the reports. Stripping Japan of events would be seen a major humiliation for Tokyo organizers, although a Seoul sports ministry official said the reports came as a “surprise” to them.

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) was also unaware of any relocation plan. “But if the IOC were to make a proposal, they would probably contact the potential venue directly,” a KOC official said.

Both officials declined to be named.

Kim Myung-gyu, a Chungju City Hall official in charge of water sports, said he had received no communication from the IOC, but stressed that the city was more than ready to take on some Olympic events if called upon. “We already have the facilities so all we need is a few months for minor adjustments,” Kim said.

Chungju has hosted international rowing competitions in recent years, including the 2013 World Rowing Championships and the Asia Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Bach and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Tuesday agreed to set up a four-party working group comprising Tokyo’s metropolitan government, the IOC, Games organizers and the Japanese government to try to rein in snowballing costs.

Koike, who became Tokyo’s first female governor in July after promising to slash wasteful spending, then proposed national and international sports federations be added to that working group, but Bach clearly felt otherwise.

“There was an agreement on a four-party working group,” insisted Bach.

“This was very well received by the Tokyo metropolitan government and the governor, and of course this happened in agreement with the organizing committee. Therefore we will follow this agreement.”




 

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