Last year’s pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics cost 20 percent more than the final figure reported by the organising committee, according to an analysis by Japan’s audit board. A report issued late Wednesday found the Games cost 1.7 trillion yen ($12.9 billion), up from the 1.42 trillion yen reported by 2020 earlier this year. The audit board said organisers had incorrectly failed to include some Olympic-linked government spending on items including anti-doping measures, athlete training, and Japanese food at the athlete’s village, and the Olympic stadium.
The 2013 bid for the Tokyo Games estimated the event would cost just 734 billion yen, but costs gradually ballooned, with a pandemic postponement adding to the bill.
Asked about the costs Thursday, government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters “the government takes the points raised seriously and will respond appropriately”, without offering details.
Japanese prosecutors are currently investigating a string of bid-rigging allegations associated with sponsorship deals at the Tokyo Games.
Read more: https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/tokyo-olympics-cost-20-more-than-organiser-reported-audit-3628842
