Key Highlights :
Tokyo: The head of the Japanese Olympic Committee says Sapporo may delay its bid for the Winter Olympics, going for 2034 instead of 2030. Yashuhiro Yamashita indicated Monday he would hold talks with Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto. Akimoto was re-elected Sunday, overcoming challenges from two anti-Olympic opponents. Despite the victory, the opposition was strong — […]
Tokyo's Olympic bid may be delayed due to the challenges of two anti-Olympic opponents in Sapporo. Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto was re-elected Sunday, overcoming challenges from two anti-Olympic opponents. Despite the victory, the opposition was strong, and Yamashita indicated Monday he would hold talks with Akimoto to see if Sapporo is ready to host the Winter Olympics in 2030. Akimoto said he is open to the idea but would like more time to consider it.
Tokyo was initially scheduled to host the 2020 Olympics, but withdrew in September due to the cost and concerns about the planned construction of a new stadium. The Japanese Olympic Committee is now considering bids for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics, but Yamashita said Monday that Sapporo may delay its bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics, going for 2034 instead. The 2034 Olympics would be the first to be hosted in Japan in over 50 years.
Sapporo's bid would have to overcome several challenges. The city is located in the northernmost part of Japan, which is cold and has a poor infrastructure for hosting an event of this magnitude. Additionally, the city is currently in the middle of a fiscal crisis, and has been struggling to pay its debts. Akimoto has said that he is open to the idea of hosting the Olympics but would like more time to consider it. If Tokyo is not able to host the Olympics in 2030, Sapporo would be the next city to bid for the event.