Nikken Sekkei, who announced recently that they would partner with Zaha Hadid Architects to develop a proposal for the New National Stadium competition for the Tokyo Olympics, has thrown in the towel.

The competition was announced after Zaha Hadid's original contract for the stadium was - controversially - severed. It requires bidders to demonstrate capabilities in planning and design, construction and construction supervision, and to form consortiums of firms to cover all these capabilities.

In a statement made last night (September 18th), Nikken Sekkei and Zaha Hadid Architects announced that they have not been able to secure a construction company in their consortium and that "as a result they are unable to enter the competition.”

Zaha Hadid Architects said: "It is disappointing that the two years of work and investment in the existing design for a new National Stadium for Japan cannot be further developed to meet the new brief through the new design competition.

"Nikken Sekkei and ZHA are prepared and able to deliver a cost-effective stadium that meets the revised brief, is ready in good time for the 2020 Games and provides a new home for sport in Japan for generations to come," they said.

"While the current competition is closed to the existing design team we stand ready to use the wealth of detailed knowledge and expertise, built up through the thousands of hours dedicated to the project, to assist the National and Tokyo Governments and Japanese people deliver a Stadium fit to welcome the world in 2020 and go on to host national, international and community events for the next 50-100 years."