Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike demanded an explanation from the International Olympic Committee during a meeting on Friday with Coordination Committee Chairman John Coates as to why the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games wasn't consulted in a decision to move the marathon and race-walking events to Sapporo.
The preliminary talks were held ahead of a three-day meeting to begin Oct. 31 in Tokyo to discuss measures to mitigate summer heat in the capital during the 2020 Games. The IOC's proposal to move the marathon and walking events is expected to be finalized at the meeting.
"Up until now, the local municipalities and authorities and citizens were very much looking forward to the events and working very hard to prepare for them," Koike said. "Because of this, when the plan to change was announced, myself, as well as the citizens, could not help but feel it was quite sudden."