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“I welcome the decision. The approved proposal meets all the important criteria,” Minister of Public Affairs for the Japanese Embassy in Washington DC Masato Otaka told Hollywood on the Potomac reacting to the change in plans for the stadium design for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
After much deliberation, the Japan Sport Council announced the decision to scrap the original proposal by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid (who won the design competition in 2012) because of its unrealistic budget and over the top futuristic architecture that some likened to a giant bicycle helmet. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the announcement on Tuesday. It will no longer be the world’s most expensive sports stadium. You can thank public uproar and social media for that. “We would like to continue to do our utmost to lead the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to great success in close cooperation with the municipal government of Tokyo and the Tokyo Organizing Committee,” Minister Otaka added.
Rendering of the old stadium design by Hadid Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
We traveled to Tokyo at the invitation of independent tour & PR consultant Hiro Naito during the bid process and spoke with many officials from the Japanese team to learn about Tokyo’s preparedness to host the upcoming Olympics, including seeing early renderings of the futuristic stadium design by Hadid that would be built as the new National Stadium. The 2020 games slated for Tokyo were met with much cheer when the award was given in autumn 2013.
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
The games were first hosted in Tokyo in 1964 as the first Asian games and the return is much anticipated, but hitting the early milestones has been as challenging for Tokyo. The new stadium was certainly state of the art, but with a price tag to match the decision was made to search for something less flamboyant and one that will be easier to create on time and on budget. The new design belongs to Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
This artist rendering shows the design of the new stadium. Photo credit: Provided by The Japan Sport Council via AP
The Olympics continue on as one of the topics that bring people together time and again with a sense of healthy competition, so time to get the ball moving. Only 4 years away and still lots to do.
Take a look back at Hollywood on the Potomac’s exploration of Tokyo’s preparation for the Olympics and the co-hosted dinner celebration with The Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Sasae, Olympians Tom McMillen and Dominique Dawes and then Governor-Elect Terry and Mrs. McAuliffe:
Toyko’s preparations for the Olympics:
HollywoodOn Productions: Chris Brown, Janet Donovan & Brendan Kownacki
