Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said that uncertainty over the final budget for the Games "will continue" until '19, according to Sherry Zheng of the AP. Muto said, "We will continue to explore more cost efficiencies." The estimated cost of hosting the Games has doubled to 1.4T yen ($12.6B) from the 730B yen that was proposed when Tokyo won the bid in '13. Muto said that 60% of the venues are existing ones, and 40% are outside Japan's capital. This includes "plans to hold some baseball and softball games in Fukushima prefecture," the site of the nuclear plant meltdowns that followed the '11 earthquake and tsunami. Muto said that construction of the "controversial" main stadium is "well underway" (AP, 7/18).
'PLAYING WITH CAREERS': In London, Jacob Steinberg reported former British sprinter Richard Whitehead "launched a stinging attack" on the Int'l Paralympic Committee, accusing the organization of "playing with careers" and "isolating individuals" by excluding double-leg amputees from the T42 100m at Tokyo 2020. Whitehead said that the IPC's "long-stated aim to separate single and double-amputee spring classes will create unnecessary barriers for Para athletes." He added, "Paralympic sport needs to be inclusive." The IPC denied Whitehead’s claims and "insisted separating the single- and double-amputee sprint classes will create stronger competition and depth within Para sprinting" (GUARDIAN, 7/17).
SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERS: YONHAP reported Coca-Cola and KT were named the "first sustainability partners for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics." Coca-Cola is "undertaking a water quality project" in the PyeongChang area, and KT, PyeongChang's local telecom partner, will provide IT services throughout Gangwon Province, where PyeongChang is situated (YONHAP, 7/17).
YOUTH GAMES AMBASSADOR: The IOC announced former Argentine basketball player Luis Scola as an ambassador for the Youth Olymic Games Buenos Aires 2018, which will take place from Oct. 6-18 (FIBA).
