Japan unveils new 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium after ditching the previous design

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Tuesday the design had been selected to be the centerpiece of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Japan scrapped the original architectural plan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium as a result of the exploding cost estimate and ridicule over its design. On Tuesday it announced its new design by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The wood-latticed structure “embodies the basic principal of placing athletes first, incorporating the world’s top level universal design, harmony with the surrounding environment and ‘Japaneseness’ as well as the adoption of wooden material,” said Toshiaki Endo, the minister in charge of the 2020 games.

Image: Proposed new national stadium "Design A" is seen in this undated handout picture released by Japan Sports Council and obtained by Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Tuesday the design had been selected to be the centerpiece of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. His decision to rescind the deal came after public uproar erupted over its construction costs that nearly doubled from the original estimate to $2.1 billion.