The Badminton World Federation has agreed to a change of venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and is looking forward to optimising its presentation of badminton at the new location.
Following open and constructive discussions with the Tokyo 2020 Local Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee on this matter, the BWF Council has expressed confidence that the proposal to relocate badminton to Musashino presents the opportunity to host a highly successful badminton event which will be enjoyed by players and spectators alike. The BWF also stressed its commitment to working positively with all stakeholders to showcase the sport in the best way possible and to attracting fans to the arena.
“We are moving ahead with planning for the badminton venue at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and we are confident that badminton as a sporting spectacle will be well presented. We are pleased to have reached agreement with the Tokyo 2020 organisers and we look forward to seeing the revised plans come to fruition,” said BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer.
“Following the London 2012 Olympic Games, badminton was promoted to Group C of sports in the Summer Olympics and we want to build on this success in the coming editions of the Games – both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. It was therefore crucial that we reached the best solution as soon as possible and now focus on the preparations we need to start making.”
Høyer said venue conditions at Musashino offer the framework to host spectacular badminton and that BWF is “excited about starting its planning for Tokyo 2020”. In addition, he reiterated BWF appreciates the challenges which prompted the change and “we fully support the principles of sustainability and legacy” and concerns about the “overall cost factors around the Olympic Games”.
“Dialogue has been ongoing on the venue move for a number of months and we will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders accordingly as the process unfolds. It is important to express our views sincerely while also being a responsible member of the Olympic Family,” said Høyer, adding that hopefully the International Olympic Committee’s Agenda 2020 would reduce the likelihood of such significant changes to bid proposals in future.