Tokyo finishes building Olympic Stadium

TOKYO: The construction work of the Olympic Stadium for the biggest sporting showpiece – the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games – has been completed. This was announced by the Japan Sport Council (JSC) on Tuesday.

The Construction of the stadium, which cost 157 billion yen (1.4 billion U.S. dollars), had began in December 2016. The 60,000-capacity Stadium will host the opening, closing ceremonies, athletics and football events.

After the final inspection is completed, the stadium will be handed over to the council on November 30.

A special inauguration event is due to take place at the Stadium on December 21. The JSC has revealed that the inauguration event - titled "Hello Our Stadium" - will tie together sport, music and culture.

Jamaica's eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt will be among a series of Olympic and Paralympic athletes participating in a unique relay, dubbed "One Race".

On January 1, 2020 The Emperor's Cup football final is scheduled to be the first public sporting event at the venue.

The stadium, made in collaboration with Japanese architect Kengo Kuma's office, construction company Taisei Corp. and design firm Azusa Sekkei Co., features a plant-covered facade designed to maintain harmony with the natural landscape of the neighbouring Meiji Jingu Gaien area.

The eaves of the distinctive roof are made from wood gathered from Japan's 47 prefectures. Japanese education minister Koichi Hagiuda said the government will not come up with a privatization proposal of the new stadium post-Games until the fall of 2020.

The privatisation plan has been pushed back for security reasons, as detailed architectural drawings of the stadium cannot be shown to potential bidders for the time being, according to Hagiuda.

The stadium is scheduled to start commercial operation in the second half of 2022. But after undergoing renovations, the stadium will start commercial operation in the latter half of 2022.