The Japanese city of Sapporo has withdrawn its bid to host the 2030 Winter Games. Due to alleged bribery scandals surrounding the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo, the Japanese Olympic Committee believes it is prudent to pause.
“I proposed that our bid should target 2034 or later,” Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Allegations of bribery and fraud surrounding the Tokyo Games are currently being investigated. Haruyuki Takahashi, one of the event’s directors, was arrested in August on suspicion of receiving bribes from companies that wanted to be among the games’ official sponsors.
Takahashi is also said to have given money to former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who later had to resign as head of the organizing committee after making misogynistic comments. According to Japanese media, eleven people have been convicted of corruption.
Yamashita stressed on Wednesday that going ahead with Sapporo’s bid now could result in an “incurable wound on the Olympics.” France, the United States, Sweden and Switzerland are said to be the remaining candidates to host the 2030 Games.
The International Olympic Committee decided last year to postpone the allocation of the 2030 Games “in light of climate change and the challenges resulting from winter sports.” The International Olympic Committee is considering holding the Games in the same locations more often. The 2026 Winter Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
