Olympic flag (Photo: Nikkan Sports)
He also hinted that the city of Sapporo, which is aiming to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, may withdraw. Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (66) and Executive Director Keiko Momii of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) held a meeting in Tokyo on the 20th regarding the future of the bid.
In response to the corruption scandal related to the Tokyo Olympics, Mayor Akimoto said that he wanted to ask the people regarding the public opinion of holding the Olympics, saying, “The previous survey was only for citizens and residents of Hokkaido, but we need to do it nationwide.” He said, “I have not given up on the bid,” but depending on the results, he repeatedly said, “We will respect the will of the people,” suggesting that he might withdraw from the bid.
Since August, corruption scandals surrounding the Tokyo Olympics have come to light one following another, led by a former director of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee who worked for Dentsu Inc., the largest company. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to indefinitely postpone the decision to host the 2030 Winter Olympics from September to October next year.
In response to this, on this day, Sapporo City and the JOC decided to (1) review the way in which competition operations depended on a specific agency, (2) temporarily suspend active momentum-building activities such as holding events, and (3) reassess. Reviewing public opinion, 3 points were put forward as a review plan for the bid process.
Mayor Akimoto emphasized, “I understand that the situation has changed significantly. If we do not present a revised reform plan, we will not be able to gain the public’s understanding.” We plan to create a concrete reform proposal for the bid by the end of fiscal 2022 and announce it as soon as possible. After presenting the proposal, he said he would like to conduct a survey of public opinion, although the timing and method have not yet been decided.
(Tadahiro Yoshimatsu)
