Bach says 2020 events should be held in disaster zone

By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has proposed that some 2020 Tokyo Olympics events should be held in the northeastern region devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. Tokyo's Olympic bid pledged that roughly 80 percent of events would be held within 8 km (5 miles) of the athletes' village in downtown Tokyo but efforts to cut ballooning costs has already forced several venues to be moved out of the city. A review of expenses commissioned by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has proposed moving rowing and canoe/kayak sprint events some 400 km north of Tokyo to existing facilities in one of the affected areas, but this has been opposed by organizers and sports officials as too hard on the athletes involved.

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