New Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Tuesday "promised a formal review of the megacity's problem-plagued preparations for the 2020 Olympics as concerns grow over soaring costs." Koike, elected Sunday as the Japanese capital's first female governor, said that a "special panel would review whether Tokyo tax money has been and will be used appropriately." She said, "Budgeting, preparation, and the validity of the road map (to 2020) will be up for a fresh review by third-party individuals. What is most important in Tokyo politics is transparency" (AFP, 8/2).
SUCCESSFUL APPEAL: British world road race champion Lizzie Armitstead was cleared on Monday to ride in the Olympics after winning a Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal against "a ban for missing three doping tests." The 27-year-old, who won the Silver Medal in the Olympic road race in London four years ago and who will be among the favorites "again in Rio," was facing an automatic ban under the "whereabouts system" after three missed tests within a year (REUTERS, 8/2).
BUSY WEEK: The CAS has handled 11 appeals -- "predominantly from Russian athletes banned for doping -- during the seven days it has been at a temporary base at the Rio Olympics." It is the same number of appeals "registered in the entire period of the London Games" in '12. Appeals from 17 Russian rowers, as well as three Olympic medal-winning swimmers, have been adjourned (BBC, 8/2).
PYEONGCHANG ADDS PARTNERS: Hanjin Travel signed an agreement to join the list of domestic marketing sponsors to support the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as official supplier of national trip hospitality and travel agency services. Hanjin Travel will develop "hospitality programs" including tickets, transportation, accommodation and food services for tourists visiting the host and venue cities during the PyeongChang 2018 Games. Also, Hanjin Travel will provide one-stop travel support services including accommodation, airline, and rental car booking services for int'l client groups during the Games period to facilitate their participation. Hanwha Corp. has agreed to support the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympics as official supplier of fireworks and torches. Hanwha will provide PyeongChang 2018 with fireworks to be used at various events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as approximately 8,000 torches that will be used throughout the Olympic Torch Relay that will travel around the country in the lead up to the Games' opening on February 9, 2018 (PyeongChang 2018).
NO ILLNESSES: British Olympic Association CEO Bill Sweeney has reported "no illnesses among the teams using the water facilities at Rio 2016." There have been concerns about "the amount of pollution in water at venues like the Marina da Glória in Guanabara Bay." Sweeney: "We haven't had any illnesses and touch wood we won't have any while we are out here for the Games. Our sailors have been out here testing for over 200 days now over the past couple of years. They have been out here extensively, as have the rowers. We have had our open water swimmers out here as well, and we haven’t had any incidences of illness" (PA, 8/2).
AIRBNB IN DEMAND: Apartment-sharing startup Airbnb has taken bookings "from more than 66,000 visitors coming to this month's Olympic Games." Airbnb co-Founder Joe Gebbia said that the number of reservations "was still rising ahead of the start on Friday." Gebbia said that the average guest was staying six nights and paying $136 per night. He added that hosts in Rio would earn a total of around $25M during the Olympics (REUTERS, 8/1).
