TOKYO — The northern Japanese city of Sapporo became a frontrunner to land the 2030 Winter Olympics after the mayor talked up a plan on Monday that he said would cut the costs of holding one of sports’ most expensive events, according to AP.
Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto said at a news conference he would conduct a public opinion survey early next year. He did not indicate what effect it would have on a decision to pursue another Olympics.
However, a statement distributed by organisers on Monday suggested the decision had already been made to proceed.
“We will communicate our ideas about the bid for the Games and figure out the expectations and concerns of the public about the Winter Olympics and Paralympics,” the statement said. “Those opinions will be incorporated into all future planning studies.”
Public referendums in several European cities have voted down plans to hold Olympics.
Akimoto acknowledged there were concerns about the costs, especially after the official cost of the just completed Tokyo Summer Olympics was listed at $15.4 billion. Some think the real costs were twice as large, and all but about $6 billion was public money.
“People have expressed hopes, too, but they are especially worried about the heavy cost burden in the future,” Akimoto said.
The IOC has not indicated when it will pick the 2030 host city.
Sapporo officials put the projected costs at between 280-300 billion yen ($2.55-$2.65 billion). Officials said 80 billion yen (about $700 million) would be taxpayer money for capital costs with the rest coming from sponsors, ticket sales and the IOC.
Officials said this was a 20 per cent reduction over estimates made in 2019.
Kio Momoi, a Sapporo resident, said she found it disturbing the bid was proceeding without any democratic consultation or discussion.
“If you are going to spend that kind of money, there are a lot more meaningful things that can use that money,” she said in a recent telephone interview. “They don’t care about regular people’s lives. No one came and asked us what we thought, but the powers that be made the decision.”
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and the mayor said at least 92 per cent of the venues would be existing structures.
However, the cost of refurbishing existing venues will also be significant, and it’s impossible to project costs accurately for an event that is almost a decade away.
A University of Oxford study has shown that almost all recent Olympics run over budget.
Akimoto acknowledged there were concerns about the costs, especially after the official cost of the just completed Tokyo Summer Olympics was listed at $15.4 billion. Some think the real costs were twice as large, and all but about $6 billion was public money.
“People have expressed hopes, too, but they are especially worried about the heavy cost burden in the future,” Akimoto said.
The IOC has not indicated when it will pick the 2030 host city.
Sapporo officials put the projected costs at between 280-300 billion yen ($2.55-$2.65 billion). Officials said 80 billion yen (about $700 million) would be taxpayer money for capital costs with the rest coming from sponsors, ticket sales and the IOC.
Officials said this was a 20 per cent reduction over estimates made in 2019.
Kio Momoi, a Sapporo resident, said she found it disturbing the bid was proceeding without any democratic consultation or discussion.
“If you are going to spend that kind of money, there are a lot more meaningful things that can use that money,” she said in a recent telephone interview. “They don’t care about regular people’s lives. No one came and asked us what we thought, but the powers that be made the decision.”
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and the mayor said at least 92 per cent of the venues would be existing structures.
However, the cost of refurbishing existing venues will also be significant, and it’s impossible to project costs accurately for an event that is almost a decade away.
A University of Oxford study has shown that almost all recent Olympics run over budget.
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