Earlier this month, Tokyo's new Governor Yoichi Masuzoe launched a review over venue plans due to concerns over costs, mainly linked to construction and labour.

But Coates, chairman of the IOC's Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020, which today concluded its first three-day tour since the Japanese capital was awarded the Games last September ahead of rivals Istanbul and Madrid, made it clear that they would have to fully consult the International Federations before they could make any revisions. 

One of the plans to be reviewed is construction of a canoe slalom course in Kasai Rinkai Park, built on reclaimed land and the focus of widespread opposition from local environmental groups. 

Basketball and badminton could also be affected by the review and  moved to existing facilities well outside the eight-kilometre ring instead of venues to be built on a waterfront area near the Olympic Village.

There is also opposition to a proposed Zaha Hadid redesigned National Stadium, the main centre of the 1964 Olympics, which critics claim is too big, too expensive and would ruin the city's skyline. 

IOC Coordination Commission John Coates and his colleagues have visited several of the proposed sites during their visit to Tokyo, including the Big Sight which is due to host fencing, taekwondo and wrestling during the 2020 Olympics ©ShugoTakemi/Tokyo 2020

"The only sport with which we have spoken about with any specificity is canoe slalom," said Coates at the closing press conference.

"The discussion there arose from our first project review and visit when we were obviously aware from the Evaluation Commission of opposition to the proposed site, both on an environmental basis and because a lot of citizens of this city use that part of the island for recreation.

"Our advice was, 'Well, if there is that amount of opposition, look for another site'.

"They located another site on the same island and we have recommended that there be discussions with the International Canoe Federation as to the exact design, but also what they want to do with it afterwards."

Coates claimed this was in line with the IOC's determination not to see cities be left with white elephants after hosting the Games.

"This is consistent with President [Thomas] Bach's 2020 Working Agenda that we want to see venues that our sustainability and have legacy," he said. 

"We want to see the use of more existing venues.

"We want to see the use of more temporary venues."


Tokyo 2020 have been warned that any changes they want to make to the venue plan proposed in their Candidature File must be approved by the governing bodies ©Tokyo 2020

Coates warned, though, that the process could not be open-ended and set a deadline of the end of this year.

"We would like to see this done as soon as possible and we would like to know where we are going on the venues," he said.

"Whether they are temporary or permanent venues they are all in the mix.

"But there will be no changes unless there is the full sign-off from the International Federations - that is critical."

Rio 2016 has faced criticism from several governing bodies for revising its original plans presented during its successful bid and then failing to consult them properly. 

"In the [IOC] Evaluation Commission report we identified that would be an opportunity to further improve on the plans presented," said Coates.