(ATR) Around the Rings learns that the UCI and Tokyo 2020 are still to agree to the final venues plan amid cycling’s serious concerns about moving the velodrome and BMX out of the Japanese capital.
The UCI has been at loggerheads with Games organizers for more than six months over proposals to relocate the venues to Izu – two-and-a-half hours drive away – to save costs.
UCI president Brian Cookson told ATR last month he remains "very concerned" about the plans. Talks with the IOC and Tokyo 2020 officials took place on the sidelines of the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur.
There have been several meetings since - the latest round of talks were last week - but ATR understands that both sides have failed to strike a deal.
The UCI is holding out hope that the final venues plan will be as close as possible to the original Tokyo 2020 bid book proposal.The federation is unhappy with the proposals to relocate its popular sports events so far from the main Olympic hub and has expressed concerns about low spectator capacities and cycling’s post-Games legacy.
Cookson recently presented three alternative venue proposals within the Tokyo metropolitan area for the velodrome and two other venue options for BMX. The UCI says it would cost less than the $52 million it would take to modify Izu's existing velodrome facility.
After a series of delays, Tokyo 2020 had wanted the cycling venues locked down by the end of September at the Sept. 23-24 meeting of the UCI Management Committee.
But ATR is told that the UCI doesn’t want to rush into any decision. Approval of the cycling venues plan for the Tokyo Olympics could now be further delayed.
Cycling's standoff with Games organizers is one of a series of challenges confronting Tokyo 2020. In July, the Olympic stadium plan was scrapped and sent back to the drawing board; last week the Olympic emblem was dumped in the wake of plagiarism claims.
Reported by Mark Bisson
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
