FINA Pushes For New Tokyo 2020 Aquatic Venue Despite Cost Concerns

FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu met with Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike and Japan Swimming Federation President Tsuyoshi Aoki in Japan this week, where the subject of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic swimming venue was discussed. As previously reported, although Tokyo 2020 organizers originally envisioned a newly constructed aquatics center built specifically for the Olympic Games, those plans are now be revisited in light of ballooning costs.

To help mitigate the rising expenses across venues of all sports, a Tokyo committee is suggesting that the Olympic aquatic events be held in the existing Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center. Scrapping plans for a new facility that carries an estimated price tag of ¥68.3 billion (~$655M) would certainly be welcomed by those trying to rising costs that burden an Olympic host. (Japan Times)

However, Marculescu insists that a new aquatic venue is necessary not only for the competition of the Olympic Games, but for a post-2020 legacy. FINA is requesting that Tokyo organizers remain committed to the original plan of constructing an entirely new facility instead of using the Tatsumi International Swimming Center, the site of this week’s World Cup and the proposed venue for Olympic water polo events in 2020.

Governor Koike said that all factors are being considered currently regarding a new versus old venue. “We are trying to determine whether all this, including the operating cost, will serve its purpose after the games are over,” she said. (JT)

“Japanese citizens love the sport of swimming, and we want to welcome swimmers from around the world cordially. For that we’ll do all we can.”