TOKYO (AP) — Further efforts to cut costs and the venues for five new sports were the focus of a coordination commission review of the Tokyo Olympics that wrapped up on Friday.
IOC vice president John Coates led the two-day meetings, held amid concerns about the budget for the 2020 Games. Construction costs have soared in part due to shortages in labor and materials as Japan also continues recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Coates, who was a vice president of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, said the IOC would not accept an $18 billion budget put forth by Tokyo organizers, emphasizing the games could be delivered for less and the figure could scare off cities considering bids for future games.
The coordination commission did not make any venue visits during the trip.