Tokyo 2020 Committee Hits Back at Allegations of Bribery Surrounding Olympic Bid

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has denied allegations of bribery in the bidding process to secure the 2020 Olympic Games, clinic which featured in the latest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report into doping in athletics.

The report claims that a sponsorship fee of $4 or $5 million was paid to gain the support of former IAAF president Lamine Diack ahead of Turkish city Istanbul.

It states: “Transcripts of the various discussions between Turkish individuals with KD [Khalil Diack] make reference to a discussion regarding the Olympic city bidding process for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

“It is stated that Turkey lost LD’s [Lamine Diack’s] support because they did not pay sponsorship moneys of $4m-$5m either to the Diamond League or IAAF. According to the transcript the Japanese did pay such a sum.

“The 2020 Games were awarded to Tokyo. The IC did not investigate this matter further for it was not within our remit.”

Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Hikariko Ono released a statement which said: “The note in the report is beyond our understanding.”

“The Games were awarded to Tokyo because the city presented the best bid. Tokyo’s bid was about Japan’s commitment to address issues around the integrity of sport.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is believed to be ready to investigate this allegation and has asked WADA for the transcripts which it refers to in its report. 

In a statement to the Associated Press the IOC said: “We have already asked the Independent Commission for the transcript so that we can better understand the context and the claims being made.”

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