TOKYO (CelebrityAccess) — An Olympic stadium built as a centerpiece for Japan's 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, may debut a little earlier than planned if it can be completed in time to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
According to the Times of Malta, stadium architect Kengo Kuma said he had received an informal request that the construction period be reduced, paving the way for the stadium to host at least the final game.
"Specialists are taking a look at [the request] for a responsible answer."
The stadium has been a center of controversy for Japan after the initial plans by UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects for the venue were discarded after its size and cost overruns led to the initial plan being dropped. Since then, the Japan Sport Council has refused payment to Hadid for the design over a copyright dispute. Hadid maintains that giving copyrights to the Japan Sport Council would allow them to use elements of her design in the new stadium and she has critized the venue's new design for “remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configuration with those of the design announced today.”
Kuma has denied the allegations. – Staff Writers
