LIMA (Reuters) - Dozens of environmental group sharply criticised organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Monday for alleged exploitation of tropical rain forests, claiming this was also potentially fuelling human rights violations. They added that organisers had not been transparent about the sourcing of the wood used in construction projects for the Games. Tokyo Games organisers could not be immediately reached for a comment. "Unfortunately, the Tokyo 2020 authorities have been secretive about the timber used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and have failed to take sufficient action to mitigate the risk of using illegal and unsustainable tropical timber," the letter said. This is not the first time environmental groups have raised concerns over the use of timber for the Tokyo Games, with the IOC pushing to reduce the size and cost of future Games with potential hosts having been scared off in recent years.

Source: The Star September 11, 2017 17:26 UTC