The Int'l Golf Federation is "preparing to submit a bid to include a team competition in the 2020 Olympics." The IGF wants to "retain the traditional 72-hole strokeplay events for men and women at the same time as introducing team tournaments that would be run separately." Sources said that it is a "complex issue because the IOC is adamant that it does not want the team event to be held at the same time as the individual event." The main male Tours are "concerned that the men’s contests take no longer than a week and therefore do not further affect schedules" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/26).
Tokyo’s Haneda airport will undergo a major renovation to "prepare for the surge in flights expected for the 2020 Summer Olympics." The airport's Terminal 2, which is currently used mainly for domestic flights by All Nippon Airways, "will be renewed to include immigration, customs and quarantine facilities to accommodate international travelers." The building will also have new duty-free shops and lounges, "while some of the terminal's boarding gates will be designated for international flights" (KYODO, 11/27).
The groundbreaking ceremony for Japan's new National Stadium, the main venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, "will be held on Dec. 11, a Japan Sports Council source revealed Saturday." With an "estimated construction time of 36 months," the stadium should be completed by Nov. '19 (KYODO, 11/26).
As four domestic candidates campaign to be named Switzerland’s bid for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the Cantons of Valais and Vaud have "officially thrown support behind the Western Switzerland project." Ahead of a Dec. 15 deadline for the submission of bid application, the commitment from the State Councils of the two cantons will be considered a "significant boost" for the bid branded "The Swiss Made Games." Other domestic bids include “Olympic Winter Games 2026 Graubünden and partners,” “2026 -- Games for our future” and “Switzerland 2026" (GAMES BIDS, 11/24).
