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Olympics: Tokyo governor demands IOC explain switch in marathon venue

In the latest round of an unusually public spat between host city Tokyo and the International Olympic Committee over the 2020 Games marathon, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike on Friday demanded detailed reasons for moving the race to northern Japan.

Tokyo governor on marathon switch

Tokyo and the IOC have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the prestigious race since the IOC announced suddenly last week, just 300 days before the games, which it wanted to move the marathon and race walks to Sapporo, on Hokkaido Island, due to concerns over Tokyo’s summer heat.

“A majority of Tokyo residents want the marathon and race walk to stay. We need to take their opinions seriously, and I share them,” Koike told a regular news conference.

She said she would demand a detailed explanation from the IOC during a meeting with John Coates, the IOC’s Coordination Commission Chief for Tokyo, later on Friday.

“Who proposed this, when did they propose it – these are all things I want to discuss,” she said.

The marathon – a flagship event set for Aug. 9, the last day of the Games – was designed to include and showcase many of the capital’s landmarks.

Tokyo 2020 organisers have said they would have no choice but to accept the IOC decision, but Koike last week said she was “surprised” by the move.

Read Also: TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS’ MARATHON MAY HOLD AT 3AM

On Thursday, media reports said Tokyo was considering moving the start time of the race to 3:00 a.m. to counter the IOC plan. (Reuters/NAN)

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