According to the Japan Times, the Romanian official claimed the venue will be an important part of the Japanese Games while also leaving a sporting legacy thereafter.

A Tokyo Metropolitan Government Task Force commissioned by the city's new governor, Yuriko Koike, proposed last month that venues for rowing and canoe sprint, volleyball and swimming be moved in order to avoid an overall budget rise to ¥3 trillion (£22 billion/$30 billion/€26 billion).

It was recommended that swimming take place at the existing Tatsumi International Swimming Center where water polo is currently scheduled to be held.

The proposed new Olympic Aquatics Stadium is still due to be built nearby in Koto Ward in the Tokyo Bay zone in order to house swimming, diving and synchronised swimming competitions.

This facility is expected to cost ¥68.3 billion (£534 million/$653 million/€593 million).

Marculescu met with Koike and Japan Swimming Federation President Tsuyoshi Aoki as part of a visit to Tokyo during the ongoing FINA World Cup leg in the city.

Koike reportedly claimed that she is doing everything possible in the best interests of the athletes involved.

"We are trying to determine whether all this, including the operating cost, will serve its purpose after the Games are over," the Japan Times quoted her as saying.

"Japanese citizens love the sport of swimming, and we want to welcome swimmers from around the world cordially. 

"For that we’ll do all we can."

Other changes currently under consideration include a move of rowing and canoe sprint venues 400 kilometres away to the Naganuma rowing course in Tome.

This is also being opposed by sporting bodies, who believe the originally proposed Sea Forest venue is the only one to meet all of their requirements.

It is hoped that decisions will be reached by the end of the month.