May 25--Japanese Olympic officials have appointed two independent lawyers and an accountant to investigate a controversial payment made by Tokyo's bid committee during the host competition for the 2020 Summer Games.
The panel will examine the circumstances surrounding $2 million the committee transferred to a Singapore company in 2013, around the time the Japanese capital was selected to host the Games.
The company that received the money, Black Tidings, had links to Papa Massata Diack, son of former international track chief Lamine Diack. Both father and son are being investigated for corruption by French authorities.
Though the Japanese Olympic Committee has said Black Tidings provided "legitimate" consulting services, the payment has raised concerns about bribery in the Olympic bidding process.
Lawyers Yoshihisa Hayakawa and Kazuki Shishido and accountant Keiichi Kubo are scheduled to begin meeting Thursday.
