TOKYO – The official cost of the postponed Tokyo Olympics has increased by 22%, the local organizing committee said Tuesday in unveiling its new budget.In an on-line news conference, organizers said the Olympics will now cost $15.4 billion to stage.
This is up from $12.6 billion in last year’s budget. The added $2.8 billion is the cost of the one-year delay. Added expenses come from renegotiating contracts and measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Olympics are to open on July 23, 2021. The Paralympics follow on Aug. 24. Audits by the Japanese government over the last several years, however, show the costs are higher than officially stated and are at least $25 billion.