The announcement of the death of internationally renowned Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, whose works included the controversial original design for the main stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics — later scrapped by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — came as a shock to Japanese architects and officials involved in the preparation of the event.
The 65-year-old British designer, who was born in Iraq, died of heart attack Thursday while in hospital in Miami, where she was being treated for bronchitis, Zaha Hadid Architects said.
Recalling Hadid's streamlined design with two gigantic arches, resembling a cyclist's helmet, Olympics minister Toshiaki Endo said Friday that the innovative design contributed greatly to Tokyo's bid to host the Olympics. "Although (the design) was scrapped, I would like to thank (her) for the contribution (she made)," Endo said.