TOKYO (AP) — The architects behind a scrapped plan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium have struck back at claims that their design was the main reason for the spiraling cost.
Zaha Hadid Architects issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday blaming the bidding process and rocketing building costs in Tokyo for the price tag rising to an unprecedented $2 billion.
The Japanese body overseeing the new National Stadium project attributed about one-third of the increase in price to rising labor and materials costs, and two-thirds to the unusual design of the stadium.
The government tossed out the plan this month amid mounting public criticism of the cost, and said it would start a new design competition.
