SAPPORO: The northern Japan city of Sapporo, aiming to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, will switch its bid to the 2034 Winter Games, Jiji Press learned Thursday.

Katsuhiro Akimoto, mayor of the capital of the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, and Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita are expected to announce the change at a news conference as early as Wednesday.

Although Sapporo prepared to bid for the 2030 Games, it has come to believe that it would be difficult to win support from its residents due to public distrust caused by corruption and bid-rigging scandals related to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics held in 2021, sources said.

The city decided the change before the International Olympic Committee holds an Executive Board meeting from Oct. 12.

Sapporo has been refraining from major activities to build momentum for its Winter Games bid since December last year.

At present, the city is reviewing Games management plans, working out measures to prevent corruption or other problems and holding meetings with residents to gain their understanding. But public support for the Winter Games bid has not increased.

The JOC in June decided that it would support Sapporo if it switches its bid to the 2034 or later Games. Akimoto expressed his intention to consider such a change.

JIJI Press