After much debate, it has been confirmed that a new arena will be built to host the volleyball competition during the 2020 summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Yuriko Koike, the Governor of Tokyo, said that the Ariake Arena project would be resurrected after a proposal to use the existing Yokohama Arena was dismissed.
The Ariake Arena, which will also stage gymnastics and BMX cycling, was part of the original plans for the Games. However, with increasing scrutiny on spiralling costs, the development was thought to be under threat as local organisers reviewed various projects.
Koike said that a formal proposal to construct the Ariake Arena would be submitted this week, possibly as early as Wednesday. The project needs to be approved by a four-party working group, which includes the International Olympic Committee.
Koike added that the arena’s operating rights would be auctioned off after the Games, according to the Kyodo news agency.
The budget for hosting the Games is expected to be as much as $20bn (£16.2bn/€19.2bn).
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