The building of a new main stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will go ahead as planned after approval of the revised $2.1 billion construction cost.
The Japan Sports Council, which will operate the main venue, approved the cost at a meeting on Tuesday. The price tag is up $730 million from the original estimate.
Tokyo Olympics organizers hoped the cost could be reduced, but a decision to stick with the original design by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid means cost can't be cut.
Two massive arches that form the backbone of the stadium's roof, a feature that critics blamed for rising cost, will remain part of the design.
Construction will begin in October. The project will go ahead without the installation of a retractable roof until after the Olympics.
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