Japanese government auditors said that the latest budget for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics "does not reflect the true cost of hosting the event" after finding almost $6B of Games-related spending parked separately as "administrative costs," according to Leo Lewis of the FINANCIAL TIMES. When added to the declared budgets of the central government, the Tokyo Metropolitan government and the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, the costs identified by the auditors put total spending directly linked to the Games at $24.7B, "about four times the figure envisioned when Tokyo was named host city" in '13. The "painstaking investigation," which the Board of Audit of Japan produced at the request of parliament, "has intensified an already heated debate over which costs should be included in the headline budgeting for the Olympics" -- a figure that analysts say the IOC would like minimized "so as not to discourage" cities from bidding for future events (FT, 10/19).
'EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC': The BBC reported the IPC "raised concerns" about the availability of accessible hotel rooms at Tokyo 2020. The governing body said that it is "unlikely" there will be a sufficient number that will be ready in time. The IPC also "predicts logistical problems for the movement of athletes using a wheelchair at the Games." It stressed, however, that it was "happy with the overall progress being made" by the organizing committee (BBC, 10/19).
