TOKYO (Reuters) - The Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was officially unveiled on a dreary and foggy morning in the Japanese capital on Saturday, the latest newly-built permanent venue to open on schedule. The venue, which will host the kayak and canoe slalom at the July 24-August 9 Games next year, was the third purpose-built venue to be unveiled on schedule -- a further indication of Tokyo’s readiness to host the summer showpiece. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike cut the ribbon to open the first man-made canoe slalom course in Japan on Saturday before various local canoeists took a run on the 200-metre course, including 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Takuya Haneda. Haneda, who finished third in the C1 class at Rio, believes the proximity to central Tokyo will please visiting athletes. Built next to an aquarium in the south-east of Tokyo, the venue will be open to the public for canoeing and rafting following the Games.

Source: The Star July 06, 2019 05:26 UTC