The Asahi Shimbun reported that the International Olympic Committee(IOC) is reviewing the possibility to hold the rowing event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in South Korea.
The Japanese newspaper quoted multiple sources as saying that the IOC is mulling the plan if Japan’s proposed venue for the sport, the “Sea Forest Waterway,” is deemed unfit amid concerns over a snowballing budget.
Asahi said if IOC President Thomas Bach and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike have difficulty reaching an agreement during their meeting scheduled for Tuesday, the IOC will possibly take out the South Korea card.
It was made known that the IOC is considering the International Rowing Competition Area at Tangeum Lake in Chungju in North Chungcheong Province as a potential alternative site.
According to experts, there are accessibility concerns surrounding the Chungju arena in the central part of Korea, but it is believed that it will be made ready to host an Olympic event in just a few months' time.
Under the Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has allowed non-host countries to hold a portion of Olympic events.