Tokyo Olympic stadium 90% complete; opening set for December

The Summer Olympics don't come cheaply, and even existing venues need extensive renovation when the Games come to town. Exact costs — what are, and are not Olympic expenses — are difficult to sort out.

Yeah due to money shuffling under the table.

But Tokyo is spending at least $20 billion to get ready, 70% of which is taxpayers' money.

70%??????????????????? Jesus Christ. Disgusting how much the taxpayers are effed over.

That would be the Japanese rip-off Zaha Hadid design.

Much like the first logos rip-off design.

Where are the "experts" who claimed that Japan would be unable to finish the venue on time?

Depends on your version of 'on time'; it was originally due to be completed in time for this year's Rugby World Cup.

Has Japan paid up in full to the late Zaha Hadid's company yet, for the initial design?

It looks unbelievable! This stadium will be a lasting legacy of what will be an amazing Olympics. I can already see the Japanese 4×100 relay team soaring around to the gold medal to the roar of 100,000 wild fans in the Stadium!

Nice dream, but...

Organizers say about 45,000 of the 60,000 permanent seats have been installed

Apparently temporary seating is only possible by putting seats on the running track, which would probably annoy the Japanese 4x100 relay team. It's also one of the most boring stadiums I can think of, modern or otherwise.

Not my version but the JT "experts" (perhaps you?) who were adamant they would be unable to host the Olympics due to non-completion.

Your version is a version based on nothing but 'I told you so'. Who are these 'experts' that have made you irate?

Check your facts first.

The fact is that the Rugby WC was due to be played at the new Olympic Stadium. The rest is a gripe of your own making.

Three comments above used the word "legacy", and essentially echoed the same thing. Me thinks these are the same person.

It had to be ready on July 24th (in 3 weeks) thus the media PR actually meant to say "sorry we are not ready but we will be..."

And for the 70% taxpayers share - add the (slave) volunteers and the tickets rip off - than you get fuller picture.

I personally am boycotting the Olympics - not only here in Japan but in general - the idea have shifted so badly. Just feel sorry for many athletes that still have dreams...

That would be the Japanese rip-off Zaha Hadid design.

I think its a rip off of Stade de France

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/StadeFranceNationsLeague2018.jpg

Would wish that this year's FIT Charity Run Event could use the stadium as Start/Goal venue as they did with the old one, but I guess bc the first big event has to be a "Japanese" one and not an "International", it won't be happening this year.

plagiarized Zaha Hadid more like. 2 years of design work and Kuma did it in 14 weeks. Uh huh.

The Japan Sports Council was withholding final payment for design services until Hadid’s firm agreed to sign away all copyrights in their design, something they had refused to do.

This would normally be a big news story

70% of taxpayers paid for it but 80% of taxpayers (the general public) couldn’t get tickets in the lottery to see it.

Where are the "experts" who claimed that Japan would be unable to finish the venue on time?

They are the ones that are downvoting you right now. :)

The beauty of being a Japan cynic is you never have to admit you're wrong. You simply pretend your previous predictions of doom were never made and make new ones to replace them.

This is an incredible stadium and a great legacy for Tokyo. They’ve done well. Will be well used post Olympics due to the great central position and easy access, unlike the Sydney one.

"Depends on your version of 'on time@

Not my version but the JT "experts" (perhaps you?) who were adamant they would be unable to host the Olympics due to non-completion. Check your facts first.

It looks unbelievable! This stadium will be a lasting legacy of what will be an amazing Olympics. I can already see the Japanese 4×100 relay team soaring around to the gold medal to the roar of 100,000 wild fans in the Stadium!

Where are the "experts" who claimed that Japan would be unable to finish the venue on time?

You know, the ones talking bull at the time of the Hadid fiasco?!

This is a national project. And the all brand new stadium will be a great legacy especially for Tokyo metropolitan area people, even though it's expensive to a certain degree. Kengo Kuma is an excellent architect. The proud of Japanese people.