japan running news

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/1533117.html

translated by Brett Larner

At last week's third meeting of the New National Stadium Construction Plan Inquiry Committee investigating the problems surrounding the plans for the New National Stadium that will form the main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, it was revealed that the plans did not account for space in which to store materials to be used in the on-site assembly of the keel arch and other key elements of the stadium.  The fact came to light through testimony from Japan Sports Promotion Center (JSC) president Ichiro Kono and others during the hearing.

The JSC described the problem as stemming from the fact that there is no available land which can be used freely in the Gaien area around the stadium site, where the city of Tokyo, the Meiji Jingu Outer Gardens, JSC and other landowners all hold stakes.  In response to the Committee's question, "Where were you planning to store all the constru…

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1029669/japanese-government-confirm-new-tokyo-stadium-plans-with-january-2020-target-completion-date

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2015/08/20/kiji/K20150820010967890.html

translated by Brett Larner

Speaking about the forthcoming new plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium on Aug. 19, former Hakone Ekiden star turned marathon broadcast commentator Tetsuhiko Kin made several proposals for the plans in response to a request from Tokyo Olympic Committee member Toshiaki Endo, saying, "If the softball field and tennis courts are relocated, the space can be used in a more flexible way including the building of a sub-track."  With regard to when to hold the 2020 Olympic marathons, Kin advised, "A start around 6:00 a.m. when temperatures are lower is the most realistic."

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20150801/oly15080100090001-n1.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

After withdrawing plans for the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games main stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo due to criticism of the plans' massive costs, the government has revealed that it is eliminating one of the plan's key features, movable electric seating, from consideration for inclusion in revised plans.  Involved sources cited a reduction in construction costs as the reason.  The retractable roof covering the field will likewise be eliminated.

It was also announced that a permanent sub-track, used for track and field athletes to prepare and warm up for their events, would also not be included, making it clear that the conventional alternative of a temporary sub-track would be the firm policy for whatever future plan is selected for the stadium.  It is thus evident that the function of the New National Stadium under forthcoming plans will be greatly reduced from previo…

http://www.zaha-hadid.com/2015/07/28/new-national-stadium-tokyo-japan-statement-by-zaha-hadid-architects/

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe looks to assign blame for failure of Olympic Stadium plans, saying current leadership shares "the same system of irresponsibility like that which once characterized the Japanese Imperial Army.”:

http://shingetsunewsagency.com/tokyo/?p=1522

新国立競技場、政府は抜本的見直しをするという。6月29日に下村大臣が政府最終決定を発表してから3週間も経っていない。このような事態に至ったのは誰の責任か？ミスを重ねた文科省の役人一人の首もとれないのか？A、I氏など、皆、自分は悪くないと自己弁護。大日本帝国陸軍と同じ無責任体制。 — 舛添要一 (@MasuzoeYoichi) July 17, 2015

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1028851/japan-to-hold-new-international-design-competition-to-choose-stadium-for-tokyo-2020

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2015/07/21/kiji/K20150721010773500.html

an editorial by Kenji Fujiyama
translated by Brett Larner

With a crack of the whip from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the controversial plans for the 2020 Olympic Stadium that have generated a storm of criticism have gone back to the drawing board.  Underlying Abe's decision, the news that the project's wasteful $2 billion+ USD price tag has disappeared is glad tidings indeed.  But the price was not the only problem with the plans.

Official JAAF-certified athletics facilities are classified into four categories, with the World Championships and other major international events requiring the highest level facilities within that categorization.  Absolutely essential for a facility to receive the highest level of certification is the presence of an auxiliary track, known as a sub-track.  With no sub-track included in the plans for the 2020 Olympic Stadium, after the Olympics the JAAF would be unable to use …

http://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/sports/161704

translated by Brett Larner



One after another, Japan's athletes have raised their voices in opposition to the current $2 billion+ USD plans for the New National Stadium.  Writing on his website, two-time World Championships 400 m hurdles medalist Dai Tamesue, 37, brought up what he called "three points of opposition to the current plans" for the stadium.  Tamesue cited the lack of a subtrack, the massive economic burden the stadium plans will create, and the resulting feeling this burden will create among the general population that sports are something they have been saddled with.

Two-time Olympic marathon medalist Yuko Arimori, 48, a spokesperson and public figurehead for the Olympic bid, also spoke out passionately against the plans at a public symposium, crying openly as she said, "Speaking as just a single athlete, I would never want to see the Olympics turned into something that would make people view them…

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1027838/tokyo-2020-leaders-unveil-new-round-of-venue-changes-but-bach-wants-national-stadium-issues-resolved

http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/summer-olympics/2020/1025974-construction-on-new-tokyo-olympic-stadium-set-to-begin-in-october-as-demolition-on-1964-arena-begins

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG5Q4FX5G5QUTQP01J.html

translated by Brett Larner

Set to be rebuilt for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the National Stadium's seats and other equipment are to find new life in sports facilities all across the country.  In response to requests from more than ten municipalities nationwide, the Japan Sports Promotion Center (JSC), managers and operators of the National Stadium, will donate the facility's equipment free of charge.  The list of recipients was announced on May 28.

The equipment to be distributed includes the National Stadium's signature orange plastic chairs, crowd control fencing, and lounge furniture.  The JSC is also looking at putting the soccer pitch's turf and the stadium's extra seats up for sale.  As the site of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the place where the drama of countless famous soccer and rugby matches unfolded, a JSC official commented, "We want to make sure the National Stadium's history …