Sports
Japan unveils nearly completed venues for Tokyo 2020
Tokyo, Nov 21
The construction of the Aquatics Center, the main venue for the swimming competitions of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and the Ariake Arena, which will host volleyball and wheelchair basketball events, is progressing smoothly towards completion.
The outside area, the aisles and the installation of the seats, which is almost 60 per cent complete, are the main tasks pending in the facilities that will host swimming, diving, synchronized swimming events, according to journalists touring the facilities on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Aquatics Center, located on one of the artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, is 90 per cent complete and has a main 50 meter (164 feet) long pool with 10 lanes, which is practically ready and was filled for the occasion.
Next to it is another smaller pool for diving events with platforms at five heights (1; 3; 5; 7.5 and 10 meters), distributed in a structure reminiscent of a spiral staircase but with square cuts.
The center has a capacity for 15,000 spectators and has been built in compliance with government regulations that dictate that 1 percent of seats be wheelchair accessible, the main official of the complex, Daishu Tone said.
The Tokyo government, which owns the center, plans to make the facilities freely accessible to the city's residents after the Olympic event and host some 100 national and international swimming competitions each year. Through these, it hopes to attract around one million users annually.
However, before opening the pools to public, reforms will be undertaken to reduce the number of seats from 15,000 to 5,000 with the aim of making management more efficient and to reduce costs, according to Tone, who gave no specific starting date for the modifications.
In addition to the Aquatics Center, the exterior and interior of the Ariake Arena, whose construction is 98 per cent complete and expected to finish later this year, was also made accessible for media.
The rear part of the complex, where there is an auxiliary building whose facade is partially covered by plants, is the area where the maximum work remains.
Bulldozers continued to clear land on Thursday while masons worked on the stairs of what, after the Olympics, will be a venue for concerts and other events.
The only thing lacking is some of its 15,000 seats (including 3,000 temporary ones) and for the concrete floor to be covered with the appropriate materials for the Olympic events.
The Ariake Arena, along with the Olympic Stadium that was completed last week, is made mostly of wood, adding Japanese aesthetics to the structure.
The outside area, the aisles and the installation of the seats, which is almost 60 per cent complete, are the main tasks pending in the facilities that will host swimming, diving, synchronized swimming events, according to journalists touring the facilities on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Aquatics Center, located on one of the artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, is 90 per cent complete and has a main 50 meter (164 feet) long pool with 10 lanes, which is practically ready and was filled for the occasion.
Next to it is another smaller pool for diving events with platforms at five heights (1; 3; 5; 7.5 and 10 meters), distributed in a structure reminiscent of a spiral staircase but with square cuts.
The center has a capacity for 15,000 spectators and has been built in compliance with government regulations that dictate that 1 percent of seats be wheelchair accessible, the main official of the complex, Daishu Tone said.
The Tokyo government, which owns the center, plans to make the facilities freely accessible to the city's residents after the Olympic event and host some 100 national and international swimming competitions each year. Through these, it hopes to attract around one million users annually.
However, before opening the pools to public, reforms will be undertaken to reduce the number of seats from 15,000 to 5,000 with the aim of making management more efficient and to reduce costs, according to Tone, who gave no specific starting date for the modifications.
In addition to the Aquatics Center, the exterior and interior of the Ariake Arena, whose construction is 98 per cent complete and expected to finish later this year, was also made accessible for media.
The rear part of the complex, where there is an auxiliary building whose facade is partially covered by plants, is the area where the maximum work remains.
Bulldozers continued to clear land on Thursday while masons worked on the stairs of what, after the Olympics, will be a venue for concerts and other events.
The only thing lacking is some of its 15,000 seats (including 3,000 temporary ones) and for the concrete floor to be covered with the appropriate materials for the Olympic events.
The Ariake Arena, along with the Olympic Stadium that was completed last week, is made mostly of wood, adding Japanese aesthetics to the structure.
3 hours ago
Mumbai hoarding crash rescue operation ends after 60 hours; rubble clearance work underway
3 hours ago
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza by errant Israeli tank shelling
3 hours ago
Sudan denies reports of visa denial to US envoy
5 hours ago
New Leadership Sworn In by Federation of Indian Associations Chicago
6 hours ago
India-American investor and two others appointed to OneStar Foundation by Texas Governor
6 hours ago
Extended stay in the US allowed for laid-off H-1B workers
6 hours ago
House members in the United States have introduced bills to codify the country's approach to the Indian Ocean.
6 hours ago
United Nations: One-Third Increase in Youth Attempting Perilous Darien Gap Crossing
7 hours ago
Desis Decide Summit: Kamala Harris Encourages Indian-Americans to Boost Political Engagement
7 hours ago
Jagan Mohan Reddy confident of YSRCP retaining power with more seats than 2019 tally
8 hours ago
Chinese marketplace Temu under scanner for breaching EU's Digital Services Act
8 hours ago
Indian pilot to tour space on Blue Origin's next flight on May 19
8 hours ago
'iPad campaign was a major fumble': Tim Cook to 22-yr-old Indian student