Society

JOC head wants Sapporo to bid for 2026 Games

Jun 16 (NHK) - The head of the Japanese Olympic Committee says he hopes the northern city of Sapporo will bid to host the 2026 Winter Games if procedures are revised in its favor.

JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda told NHK and other media that normally it is impossible for Sapporo to win the right to host the Games.

JOC has been cautious about Sapporo's possible attempt to win the 2026 Winter Games.

Takeda noted this is partly because all the Summer and Winter Games between 2018 and 2022 are taking place in East Asia -- these include South Korea's Pyeongchang, Tokyo, and Beijing.

But Takeda said that Sapporo may be able to win the right to host if the current circumstances are taken into consideration.

His comment comes as some cities recently withdrew their bids due to concern about massive costs. The International Olympic Committee plans to discuss procedures to make the process cost less at its extraordinary session next month.

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