2020 Olympics: Tokyo Completes Construction of Stadium

Workers adjust fences at the construction site of the New National Stadium, a venue for the opening and closing ceremonies at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, in Tokyo. Photo: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Construction work has been completed at Tokyo’s National Stadium, set to be the centrepiece of next year’s Olympic Games, the site’s owners said on Tuesday.

The National Stadium is one of eight new venues to be used at the Tokyo Games, all of them are either complete or on schedule to be finished before the event. It will be officially unveiled on Dec. 21, with the Emperor’s Cup soccer final being the first sporting event to be held there on New Year’s Day.

The Japan Sports Council said the final work had been completed on Thursday with just the final quality and safety checks remaining before the stadium opens next month.

Construction started in December 2016, about 14 months later than planned, after the original design was scrapped because of a public outcry over spiraling costs. The delay meant the stadium could not host matches of the Rugby World Cup, as originally planned.

The stadium, which can accommodate 60,000 audience costs more than $1.25 billion.
The Tokyo Olympics is to run from July 24, 2020 to Aug. 9, 2020.

November 19, 2019