Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has "informally decided to develop the Ariake area in the capital's Koto Ward, centering on the planned Ariake Arena Olympic and Paralympic volleyball venue." Koike had earlier "given up" on a plan to hold volleyball events at Yokohama Arena in neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture during the 2020 Games. With the latest move, all three venues that had been up for review -- for volleyball, rowing and canoe sprints, and swimming -- will be "built as originally planned." Under the new plan, the volleyball arena will "anchor" development of the Ariake-kita district as a new waterfront commercial center, where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government "hopes to attract shops and businesses, as well as build a gymnastics arena and a BMX course for bicycle and motocross races." The central government has designated part of the Ariake-kita district as a national strategic special economic zone to "serve as a hub" for int'l tourism and business events (THE MAINICHI, 12/16).
Two cantonal organizations have "submitted bids to Swiss Olympic for consideration for the 2026 Winter Games." Canton Graubünden handed in a bid on which citizens will have the final say on Feb. 12. The host city has not yet been named in their proposal. In addition, a group from cantons Valais, Vaud, Fribourg and Bern submitted a joint proposal named "Sion 2026: the Winter Games in the heart of Switzerland" (SWISS INFO, 12/16).
IOC President Thomas Bach is "shocked and angered" by the extent of Russia's doping scandal detailed by WADA investigator Richard McLaren. Bach said he feels "shock" and "inner rage" over the doping scandal. Bach added, "But neither anger nor fear are good advisers. Therefore one in responsible position has to ask straight away, how do you deal with this? What can you do to ensure that it hopefully never happens again?" Bach praised the report, saying it "gives answers to many questions that were unanswered in the first report" (AAP, 12/17).
