Tokyo governor defends call to review Olympic plans

TOKYO — Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe has defended his call for a review of the venue plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, even if it threatens the proposal of having almost all the facilities close to the Athlete's Village.

Tokyo won the right to host the 2020 Olympics with a promise to deliver compact games with 28 of the proposed 33 competition venues within 5 miles (8 kilometers) of the village.

Masuzoe said the relocation of some venues outside that radius will not increase travel times between the facilities if good transportation systems are in place.

Insisting that he also has a responsibility to Tokyo taxpayers, Masuzoe said Wednesday that the games need to be compact in terms of cost and not just geography; a principle the IOC agrees with.