This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33563243
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Japan scraps 2020 Olympic stadium design | Japan scraps 2020 Olympic stadium design |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Japanese government has decided to scrap its controversial design for the stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. | |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his government would "start over from zero". | |
| The original design, by British architect Zaha Hadid, had come under criticism as estimated building costs rose to $2bn (£1.3bn) | The original design, by British architect Zaha Hadid, had come under criticism as estimated building costs rose to $2bn (£1.3bn) |
| Mr Abe says the new stadium will still be completed in time for the games. | Mr Abe says the new stadium will still be completed in time for the games. |
| However, the delay means that the stadium will no longer be ready in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which Japan is also hosting. | However, the delay means that the stadium will no longer be ready in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which Japan is also hosting. |
| "I have been listening to the voices of the people and the athletes for about a month now, thinking about the possibility of a review," Mr Abe said. | "I have been listening to the voices of the people and the athletes for about a month now, thinking about the possibility of a review," Mr Abe said. |
| "We must go back to the drawing board." | "We must go back to the drawing board." |
| He added that he had made the decision after being assured that it was still possible to complete construction of a new design in time for the Olympics. | He added that he had made the decision after being assured that it was still possible to complete construction of a new design in time for the Olympics. |
| Under the original plans, Tokyo's stadium would have been bigger and more expensive than any of its recent predecessors. | Under the original plans, Tokyo's stadium would have been bigger and more expensive than any of its recent predecessors. |
| It drew increasing criticism as estimated costs spiralled from $1bn to $2bn. | It drew increasing criticism as estimated costs spiralled from $1bn to $2bn. |
| The futuristic design of the stadium also drew attention, with architects have likening it to a turtle or a bicycle helmet. | The futuristic design of the stadium also drew attention, with architects have likening it to a turtle or a bicycle helmet. |