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Koike remains defiant over IOC decision to move events to Sapporo

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Yes logic and common sense often come as a surprise to the ignorant and backward.

Sorry lady, IOC has the final say. Make all the noise you want

16 ( +27 / -11 )

Hey how about cancelling the games altogether and save everyone the drama! Koike is butt-hurt about not being in the loop and is doing her best to force a change that wont happen!

10 ( +17 / -7 )

I mean it does seem like very poor communication on the IOC part.. Pretty understandable that the people that have been working on this project for years feel a bit betrayed. Justified as the IOC conclusion may be..

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Yes, poor communication on the part of the IOC, but the right decision.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Koike is aiming to get the gold in stubbornness!

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Whose paying for this 2020 Olympics games?

it isn't the IOC for sure. They just collect.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Poor decision but someone had to make it. Sometimes the consensus approach that Japan loves just causes months to go by where no one decides anything. Then its too late to make a correct decision and things go crazy.

At least the IOC decided, although I dont think it was their decision to make. People dont need to be dying just competing in the Olympics.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Abrupt changes and about face? Of course Tokyo hasn't done this themselves in any way over the past several years on the topic of the Olympics. And Koike herself in other matters come to think of it. Ahh what beautifully absurd chaos. Certainly there must be easier ways for the frothing corporate goons like Visa to make bank than this tiresome charade.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Coates has nothing to bargain with other that his inflated ego, although a move to Hokkaido could be the correct decision, Coates disrespect and his pompous demeanour is his own downfall.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Take it away from Tokyo completely. Sorry, but it should never have been put there in the dead of summer to begin with, and this kind of bureaucracy being involved is part of the reason. It's not about the people -- she doesn't give one wit, as she's shown in the past -- it's about the prestige. Who cares if people die? right, Koike?

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Smithinjapan, nobody with a head on the shoulders would disagree with that, it is the way the whole communication, and lack off, has been handled

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Japan (with its prime minister) lied up and down, left and right to get the Olympics. Now that the brutal consequences of their lies are becoming real, they are playing the victims and some of them apparently continue to lie by claiming that the decision was taken without the top organizing officials being informed about it. History has shown that playing the victims in order to save face publicly is a big specialty of this country.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Poor decision but someone had to make it.

It was a poor decision? Why do you think this?

People dont need to be dying just competing in the Olympics.

Agreed, but you seem to be contradicting yourself that this was a poor decision.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

daito_hak - Japan (with its prime minister) lied up and down, left and right to get the Olympics. Now that the brutal consequences of their lies are becoming real, they are playing the victims and some of them apparently continue to lie by claiming that the decision was taken without the top organizing officials being informed about it. History has shown that playing the victims in order to save face publicly is a big specialty of this country.

Yes, this is true. However, it was the IOC that insisted the games be held in August.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Is it power ( local perception ) or sports first?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I’m starting to side with Koike. I think the IOC has been heavy-handed and made this decision without considering the following four points.

Who pays for the cost of moving and staging the events in Sapporo? I read today the estimated costs will be about 35 billion yen. Tokyo should not have to pay for that. Sapporo Dome has to be altered so runners can enter it from the street; an oval course has been laid down and then everything has to be put back the way it was after the event.

Volunteers. A marathon needs several hundred volunteers; people giving out water bottles to runners every 100 meters along the 46-kilometer route; volunteers helping with transport; others helping at the start and finish lines. Can Sapporo recruit such a huge number of volunteers?

Accommodation. Where do the marathon and walking race runners, their support staff, media and IOC officials stay. We’re looking at a minimum of about 1,000 people flying into Sapporo. There is no athletes village or enough hotels, so where will everyone stay?

Tickets. It’s already a complicated process, so who will buy tickets to sit in Sapporo Dome at 8 a.m. and watch the runners come in. How much will a ticket to that cost? After the race is over, the winners are flown back to Tokyo where they will receive their medals in the afternoon before the closing ceremony. The whole point of the marathon is that there are events going on in the stadium through the day and people buy their tickets for that and then cheer on the marathon winner as he comes into the stadium, to be followed by the medal ceremony and the closing ceremony. Will 45,000 people pack into Sapporo Dome just to see marathon runners come in and then leave?

By the way, what about the women's marathon?

The IOC meeting in Tokyo tomorrow and Thursday should be interesting.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I read that they didn't do that this time because it would conflict with the TV schedule for American sports (namely football and the major league baseball postseason).

This 'blame America' line is incomplete and old. FIBA and FIFA both also stated the games had to be held in August. FIFA especially, since having players prepping for an Olympics in October could take away from soccer viewership, etc.

To say it's all 'American' is a load of bunk, because sporting groups with television contracts across the world are saying the same thing.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Sorry lady, IOC has the final say. Make all the noise you want

Doesn't Sapporo have a say in this, too? Looks suddenly someone drops a big expense in their lap without asking them first?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Seriously who even buys tickets for these two events when most of the watchers are doing it for free.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

It is very understandable that governor Koike gets much more stubborn about Sapporo event as long as there was no good enough explanation and the chairman said the IOC's final decision was made already in front of /without Koike. She might have thought the decision was a full power harassment by IOC.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

In democratic society, process is important. Improper process disqualifies its decision, even it may "look correct decision." One person does not make decision; people who are involved do. It's a big mistake by IOC.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Good decision, possibly bad communication but we don’t know whether they requested the move but Koike et al weren’t listening?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Having sevenhundredthousand ( local or US.) on my shoulders as an average citizen not only inkanto should we care?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I really believed she is progressive but she is stubborn and illogical like her peers. Tokyo olympics 2020 seems to be an ego contest between the politicians and not about the games.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

 I read today the estimated costs will be about 35 billion yen

My guess was 250 million USD, so pretty close! Remember that Olympic "estimates" always prove to be low.

If they move the events, I'd have this covered by

What is left from Tokyo's marathon budget

20 million USD from Sapporo (they can't have it for free)

The rest from the IOC (they will say no)

My personal fear is that if Sapporo gets it, the city will be extra gung ho for the Winter Olympics and that will be another 30 billion USD wasted on a party and facilities no-one will use. 30% of the population over 65 means Japan cannot afford another Olympics. It should stop right here.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm a runner. I run marathons all the time.- I plot out a 42K course on Google Maps and just do it, getting water from park fountains and household hoses (and an occasional combini beer at the turn-around point). I never pay the rediculous entry fees for official races - running a marathon is not rocket science. Granted, holding such a large event in such a short time will be challenging for the reasons smartacus noted above, but it is better than the alternative: dead athletes.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I’m starting to side with Koike. I think the IOC has been heavy-handed and made this decision without considering the following four points.

Very valid point, smartacus. Moving the marathon to Sapporo will/would indeed be a costly logistical nightmare.

Ultimately the IOC are responsible for the situation we are in, all about filling their coffers. Makes a mockery of the whole selecting/bidding process (no one's going to make me believe that the IOC didnt know about tokyo's hot/humid summers. Same with IAAF & worlds athletics in doha a few weeks ago, fifa & qatar... they all knew but chose to turn a blind eye. IOC now trying to save face "it's all about athletes etc' in the worst possible way).

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is very important to communicate correctly. Most Japanese failed to get communications done the right way, that is 2 ways. I have worked with a japanese team for 32 years and they never asked, never checked, never discussed and just presumed what they want to do. Which is very fatal for all working with them.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Whether she is bitter or not. She must accept the decision has been made. Making athletes run 50 kilometers in 38’ heat with 80% humidity is absurd and will most likely kill some of them.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

So Tokyo is learning what other cities realized ages ago. The IOC is nothing but a corrupt oligarchy. They lined their pockets with money from Tokyo and are now going to run things as they see fit. Japan should remember this next time they get the bright idea to bid for an Olympics. They are corrupt and rotten. Do what most cities around the world do and avoid them like the plague.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

“With many days of mild and sunny weather, this period provides an ideal climate for athletes to perform at their best.”

From the organizers’ own prospectus. Japanese wishful thinking at its finest.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What preparations are necessary in advance of a road race - baring the planning of alternate traffic routing ?

+1 for IOC decision... at least they are trying to learn from past experience.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The news just makes you go “Amen!” Right decision and right way of handling it. Victory over bureaucracy.

Koike, who clashed with the 2020 organizing committee three years ago over her decision to review several competition venues due to budget concerns, was kept in the dark and felt irked by the IOC's announcement.

Intentional disrespect and very telling. I have faith in Koike that she will not now try and sabotage the marathon in beautiful Sapporo.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Making athletes run 50 kilometers in 38’ heat with 80% humidity is absurd and will most likely kill some of them.

And these facts were not known long before and during the bidding process? What a circus.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This whole drama is so Japanese. Always trying to have the last say.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

And this is probably not the last of the event changes either, as the IOC also stated that they are going to review event sites for excessive radiation levels. IOC is having none of Abe's lies now.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

IOC is independent of all nation-states, and does what it pleases according to its own wishes. It has a visible history of outrageous bribery and corruption and Japan's officials should not be surprised that they have been kept out of the loop. To borrow a line from a fable, "You knew I was a snake when you picked me up."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have the general feeling, that the Japanese do not like to be told, especially within their own Country by anyone.... which may also be said of other Nations too....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

we have to understand that it ,s not easy to accept . . . there,s many disappointed people out there . . . and i agree that "Tokyo Marathon" sounds alot better than "Sapporo Marathon", for example the background of Tokyo is unmatchable . . . but Ms. Koike, with all due respect , you should let it go , forget about political gains, forget about the money . . . think about the people of Sapporo, think about the athletes . . .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This unilateral decision by the IOC really pissed me, a non-Japanese, off, let alone Ms. Koike, Chairperson of the host city.  This IOC head, how did he get elected anyway, was so impolite, rude, unprofessional, having no common sense at all.  Such an important decision should have been professionally released through a joint communique at an official press conference with the mandatory presence of both Ms. Koike and the IOC head.  However, this coward guy did not have the courage to face the lady representing Tokyo, the host city of the imminent Olympics, so he chose to stab behind her back with stealth announcement out of nowhere. 

Sorry, IOC, without the work and money of the host city, now Tokyo, and previously, Rio, London, Beijing, you guys would be just a bunch of cap-in-hand mendicants.

You guys up here, who think the IOC was caring about the athletes' safety, think again.  The IOC is actually worried about the resolution of television images of the marathon if filmed at the early hours in Tokyo, when the temperatures are in the 20s, more than good enough for any marathon, but it will not be as bright as they want to have the ideal images for their max TV ad revenues.  Money, money, the IOC head and his underlings care about their money, their ad revenues. 

OK, if the IOC wants to move the marathon to Hokkaido, then let them go there and prepare everything by themselves.  The Hokkaido people don't have to bother.  It was Tokyo, not Hokkaido, that bid for the Olympics, anyway.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Folks Remember that there are two Olympics "Summer"... and "Winter".

We don't yet have a "Spring" or "Autumn" Olympics, though clearly the former would be great if you wish to also admire the Cherry Blossom here in Japan.

The Olympics in 2020 is the Japan Olympics, hosted by Tokyo... so if it's split over two Cities, then there should be no shame in that. Japan should be thankful that it has the Climatic diversity to accommodate the Summer Olympics. In future, given the current Global Warming trend, it's more than likely that the Summer Olympics will be held in the Southern Hemisphere of this Planet. ... Argentina/South Africa, time to prepare !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There has also been criticism from organizers that the IOC did not allow athletes the opportunity to voice their opinions while at the same time pledging to put the "interests of the athletes first."

Why would IOC need to ask the athletes for their opinions? The athletes are focused on running. It is not the athletes’ responsibility to track the heat conditions. And if the athletes are ambivalent about the heat, it doesn’t change the fact that the marathon in Tokyo is dangerous. In the same way you don’t ask athletes if they want to follow concussion protocol, you don’t open up a decision to consensus-building when it comes to athletes’ safety.

IOC holds the responsibility and has made a decision decisively. Tokyo organizers should ask themselves why did they fail to addressing this critical safety issue sooner rather than criticizing IOC for catching this at the 11th hour.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Koike, cancel to hold the Olympic 2020 in Tokyo. I do not care who runs or swim a second faster than others and acrobatic gymnastics that should be played at circuses.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm not against with Ms. Koike, she has a right to make noise and fight for what is right. Also look at the words of the Hokaido it was said they were not prepared for that places, also might be there's no hotel? Why the OIC made a final decision?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The IOC stuffed up and they know it. As planning has already been put in place in Tokyo in mid-summer, and despite that stupidity, it’s too little too late. Extra plane fare expenses for players and fans is also extremely inconvenient. They could have initially chosen Sapporo or even Wakannai or Abashiri (the colder areas) but didn’t.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Options:

keep the marathon in Tokyo, but move it to a different time of year.

move the marathon to a part of Japan that has better weather in the summer, such as Sapporo.

Sapporo could reimburse some of the billions in US dollars that Tokyo paid to acquire the summer Olympics.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I get that the city was taken by surprise, but still I hardly see any reason to be so offended. It's for the safety of the athletes after all. Plus look at how many events aren't even being held in Tokyo already. Acknowledge that the city isn't suitable for certain things anymore due to the raging heat and move on. Their own fault they didn't realistically plan for the heat during their bid.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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