(ATR)World Rugby on Thursday demanded assurances from Japan about its venues and budget for the 2019 World Cup after plans for the Olympic stadium were torn up.
Rugby’s governing body said it was issuing the revised roadmap for the Japan organising committee following analysis of the impact of the government’s "disappointing decision" to remove the national stadium as a host venue.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe axed the $2.5 billion Olympic stadium scheme in July due to soaring costs and sent the project back to the drawing board. The venue was slated to host several 2019 World Cup matches including the final.
"The new national stadium was due to be the centrepiece of an exciting program of 12 host venues, staging the opening match, the final and other key clashes and its loss has significant impact on the overall ticketing capacity and tournament budget," World Rugby said in a statement.
"These are critical to an event that is the lifeblood of the game, underpinning its growth worldwide and the financial support of 120 national rugby federations."
World Rugby say 2019 organisers have until the end of September to deliver "a revised detailed host venue proposal that delivers exceptional team and fan experience, maximising opportunities for fans to be a part of rugby’s showcase event".
Rugby chiefs are also asking for a revamped tournament budget with "appropriate financial security".
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset has said relocation of the tournament from Japan was not under consideration.
"World Rugby remains confident that the criteria can be met by the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee and that the first Rugby World Cup in Asia will be a resounding success," the statement ended.
On Tuesday, the IOC called on Tokyo 2020 Olympic chiefs to accelerate the delivery of the new national stadium that will host Games ceremonies. IOC vice president John Coates set a January 2020 deadline for delivery of the stadium.
The stadium is expected to accommodate around 68,000 spectators, reports from Japan said on Thursday.
Olympics Minister Toshiaki Endo will meet with Tokyo 2020 stakeholders on Friday for further talks about the stadium project.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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