Members of the International Olympic Committee have announced sweeping changes that will lighten the load for host cities. They'll allow local organizers to stage events in other cities and even other countries, and they'll also add more events. The proposals are part of IOC President Thomas Bach's plan to reform the Olympics. They were unanimously adopted by the 96-member committee at a meeting in Monaco.
The changes raise the possibility of organizers in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang looking beyond their borders when they host the 2018 Winter Games. They've been facing financial difficulties, and they could now ask Japan or other neighbors to stage some of their events. Officials in Tokyo may speed up a review of their plan for the 2020 Summer Games, and they could look to expand to venues in other Japanese cities.
IOC members have also approved a plan to scrap the current limit of 28 sports in the Summer Games, and they'll allow host cities the option to bring in more sports. Tokyo will be the first host city of the Summer Games to propose additional events. It raises hopes for a possible comeback of baseball and softball and the introduction of karate and squash.
◆sweeping change 大々的な変更
◆local organizers 地元主催者
◆stage events 競技種目を開催する
◆adopted 可決する
◆raise the possibility of ～の可能性を引き起こす
◆venues 開催地
◆bring in 導入する
◆raises hopes for ～に対する期待を高める
