Push Admin

Tokyo unveils heat-busting stadium, 7 months before Olympics

Article (news)

Kyoko Hasegawa, Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/reuters/12/16/stadium.jpg"/><figcaption>General view of the New National Stadium, the main stadium of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, after the construction completion ceremony in Tokyo, Japan December 15, 2019. Issei Kato, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>TOKYO - Tokyo formally unveiled its 60,000-seater main Olympic Stadium Sunday, more than seven months before the 2020 Opening Ceremony -- with a host of special features to beat the feared heat.Built on the site of the former national stadium used for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it has five floors above ground and two below, with greenery planted on the decks to provide shade from the scorching summer sun.The eaves around the outer perimeter keep out sunlight and rain and will help channel breeze into the stadium. There are also eight mist spraying facilities, 185 fans and 16 air-conditioned lounges.Opening the facility, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed its &quot;top-level universal design&quot; and &quot;harmony with its surrounding environment.&quot;Renowned architect Kengo Kuma designed the stadium along traditional Japanese lines, with the use of wooden eaves and domestic lumber helping it to blend into the surroundings in central Tokyo.The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies plus the flagship athletics events. However, the marathon will not have its traditional finish there, as the event has been moved to Japan&#x27;s northern island of Hokkaido to avoid the expected heat and humidity of the capital.The unveiling will come as a relief after the humiliation in September 2016, when Abe scrapped the original plans from late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid as the costs soared beyond $2 billion.The stadium was also lowered to a height of 47 meters (154 feet) from the original design of 70 meters, which was criticized as too high and for being a potential eyesore on Tokyo&#x27;s skyline.Total construction costs including design and supervising fees came to 156.9 billion yen ($1.45 billion), within the budget, according to officials.The stadium will see its first sporting action on December 21 when former sprint champion Usain Bolt will take the track for a special exhibition relay. The first competitive action there will be the Emperor&#x27;s Cup football final on New Year&#x27;s Day.

Tokyo formally unveiled its 60,000-seater main Olympic Stadium Sunday, more than seven months before the 2020 Opening Ceremony -- with a host of special features to beat the feared heat.

Tokyo formally unveiled its 60,000-seater main Olympic Stadium Sunday, more than seven months before the 2020 Opening Ceremony -- with a host of special features to beat the feared heat.

Tokyo unveils heat-busting stadium, 7 months before Olympics

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Tokyo unveils heat-busting stadium, 7 months before Olympics

Kyoko Hasegawa,

Agence France-Presse

Published December 16, 2019 08:26 AM PHT

Read More:

Japan

Tokyo

2020 Olympics

Olympic Stadium

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.