(Xinhua) 17:02, October 11, 2023 TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Wednesday confirmed its withdrawal from the bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement was made by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and the city of Sapporo at a joint press conference held in Tokyo, which was attended by both JOC President Yasuhiro Yamashita and Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto. They confirmed that the city will withdraw from the bidding and seek to host the event in 2034 or later. Sapporo, which in 2014 announced its bid for the 2030 Games, is facing sluggish support and growing public distrust over the bribery and bid-rigging scandals connected to the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021. Having hosted the Games in 1972, Sapporo was once considered the front-runner to host the Winter Olympics for a second time. But the International Olympic Committee appears to have shifted its focus to other candidates after the scandals linked to the Tokyo Olympics, said local media. |
House passes reauthorization of US spy program after GOP upheavalMets fans give slumping Francisco Lindor the Trea Turner treatment: cheers rather than boosGovernment increases support for Ukraine, extends NZDF deploymentOne dead, two injured in South Waikato crashesWrexham eyes another promotion, this time to 3rd tier of English soccerQB Kellen Mond joining the New Orleans Saints to compete for a backup roleHeat never trail on the way to a 125Marcus Sasser leads Pistons past Mavericks 107California court affirms Kevin McCarthy protege's dual candidacies on state ballotRyan Feltner gets 1st win of season, Rockies use season