(CNN) French prosecutors are investigating payments made by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid committee to a Singapore-based company.

In a statement released to CNN on Thursday, prosecutors revealed two payments totaling 2.8 million Singapore dollars ($2 million).

They were made to a company called "Black Tidings" in July and October 2013, and referred to "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Game bid."

It was later redeveloped by GMP Architects and opened in 2004, eventually hosting games during the 2006 World Cup.

Berlin Olympic Stadium, Germany – It was later redeveloped by GMP Architects and opened in 2004, eventually hosting games during the 2006 World Cup.

One of the biggest challenges for a stadium is to continue surviving the community long after a major sports event has ended. The Olympic Stadium in Berlin was originally constructed for the 1936 Games.

Berlin Olympic Stadium, Germany – One of the biggest challenges for a stadium is to continue surviving the community long after a major sports event has ended. The Olympic Stadium in Berlin was originally constructed for the 1936 Games.

"I don't think anyone had really designed a successful stadium for the tropics before," said architect Clive Lewis of Arup Assocites. "In the past, if they had a tropical rainstorm they pretty much had to cancel the event. And that's where the dome roof concept came from."

Singapore Sports Hub – "I don't think anyone had really designed a successful stadium for the tropics before," said architect Clive Lewis of Arup Assocites. "In the past, if they had a tropical rainstorm they pretty much had to cancel the event. And that's where the dome roof concept came from."

Winner of the sports category at this year's World Architecture Festival, the $1.3 billion Singapore Sports Hub features a 55,000-seater stadium, swimming pool complex and water sports facilities.

Singapore Sports Hub – Winner of the sports category at this year's World Architecture Festival, the $1.3 billion Singapore Sports Hub features a 55,000-seater stadium, swimming pool complex and water sports facilities.

... but at night its exterior panels light up in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. "More important then capturing the spirit of a country or city, is to be able to read the dreams and hopes of its inhabitants," designers, Berger Architects, said of $90 million building.

Luanda Multisports Pavilion, Angola – ... but at night its exterior panels light up in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. "More important then capturing the spirit of a country or city, is to be able to read the dreams and hopes of its inhabitants," designers, Berger Architects, said of $90 million building.

Shortlisted in the sports category at this year's World Architecture Festival, the Luanda Multisports Pavilion, in Angola may not appear particularly striking during the day...

Luanda Multisports Pavilion, Angola – Shortlisted in the sports category at this year's World Architecture Festival, the Luanda Multisports Pavilion, in Angola may not appear particularly striking during the day...

"There remains an ancient desire of humans to congregate together to watch others perform," said Jim Heverin, director at Zaha Hadid Architects. "So in many ways a stadium still needs to perform the same function as the Colosseum, and in many ways the success of future stadiums will be the ability to maintain the sense of collective congregation and a shared experience, whilst incorporating new demands."

Al-Wakrah Stadium, Qatar – "There remains an ancient desire of humans to congregate together to watch others perform," said Jim Heverin, director at Zaha Hadid Architects. "So in many ways a stadium still needs to perform the same function as the Colosseum, and in many ways the success of future stadiums will be the ability to maintain the sense of collective congregation and a shared experience, whilst incorporating new demands."

Hadid's firm is also behind the 2020 World Cup stadium in Qatar. "The local Al Wakrah football team has been consulted throughout the design development by the client, as they will be the users of the stadium for generations after the 2020 Qatar World Cup," said Heverin.

Al-Wakrah Stadium, Qatar – Hadid's firm is also behind the 2020 World Cup stadium in Qatar. "The local Al Wakrah football team has been consulted throughout the design development by the client, as they will be the users of the stadium for generations after the 2020 Qatar World Cup," said Heverin.

Housing a retail area, restaurants and hotel among the attractions under its metallic membrane, the multipurpose arena will transform a stadium where construction began 70 years ago.

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Spain – Housing a retail area, restaurants and hotel among the attractions under its metallic membrane, the multipurpose arena will transform a stadium where construction began 70 years ago.

"We were inspired by medieval cathedrals, with all their sculptures and paintings around the building telling their stories," architect Volkwin Marg told CNN.

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Spain – "We were inspired by medieval cathedrals, with all their sculptures and paintings around the building telling their stories," architect Volkwin Marg told CNN.

His architecture firm is also behind the $500m redevelopment of Real Madrid's home -- the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Spain – His architecture firm is also behind the $500m redevelopment of Real Madrid's home -- the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

"The mayor asked us for something that would 'put Durban on the map,'" said Neinhoff.

Moses Mabhida Stadium, South Africa – "The mayor asked us for something that would 'put Durban on the map,'" said Neinhoff.

Nienhoff also designed the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, for the 2010 South African World Cup.

Moses Mabhida Stadium, South Africa – Nienhoff also designed the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, for the 2010 South African World Cup.

"We're not in direct dialogue with the supporters," said Nienhoff. "But we have to understand their social and cultural background, the region and its history. That way we capture the whole spirit of the place."

Amazon Arena, Brazil – "We're not in direct dialogue with the supporters," said Nienhoff. "But we have to understand their social and cultural background, the region and its history. That way we capture the whole spirit of the place."

"If you look into the structures of nature like a leaf, or the skin of a snake, there's always a logical system behind it," explained stadium designer Hubert Nienhoff, of GMP Architects.

Built for this year's World Cup in Manaus, Brazil, the Amazon Arena's reptilian facade was inspired by wildlife in the surrounding rainforest.

Amazon Arena, Brazil – Built for this year's World Cup in Manaus, Brazil, the Amazon Arena's reptilian facade was inspired by wildlife in the surrounding rainforest.

"The shape of the arena works perfectly both in terms of acoustics, as well as creating an introverted atmosphere," said designer Spela Videcnik, from Ofis Architects. "This introversion helps players to focus on a match, and the acoustics create a great supporting atmosphere."

Here, the distinctive "spotty" Borisov Arena in Belarus is home to the country's football team. The space-age arena opened earlier this year and cost $37 million.

Borisov Arena, Belarus – Here, the distinctive "spotty" Borisov Arena in Belarus is home to the country's football team. The space-age arena opened earlier this year and cost $37 million.

"While the New National Stadium in Tokyo will be used for the 2020 Olympic Games, the stadium is being built to host the widest variety of events in the future. Its first major international event will actually be as a venue for Japan's hosting of the 2019 Rugby World Cup -- the first country in Asia to host the event," said Jim Heverin, director at Zaha Hadid Architects which designed the arena. "The key to a successful stadium is to design for these long term requirements, rather than the one-off event such as the Olympics."

National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo – "While the New National Stadium in Tokyo will be used for the 2020 Olympic Games, the stadium is being built to host the widest variety of events in the future. Its first major international event will actually be as a venue for Japan's hosting of the 2019 Rugby World Cup -- the first country in Asia to host the event," said Jim Heverin, director at Zaha Hadid Architects which designed the arena. "The key to a successful stadium is to design for these long term requirements, rather than the one-off event such as the Olympics."

Today's stadiums are architectural feats of design that can elevate the senses, capture the spirit of a community, and become an icon of the city long after a sports event ends. Celebrity Iraqi-born British architect, Zaha Hadid's design for the 2020 Olympic stadium in Tokyo won an international competition, but has received criticism. Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki described it as, "A turtle waiting for Japan to sink so that it can swim away." The 83-year-old warned: "Tokyo will surely be burdened with a gigantic white elephant." Not all new stadiums receive such objections.

National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo – Today's stadiums are architectural feats of design that can elevate the senses, capture the spirit of a community, and become an icon of the city long after a sports event ends. Celebrity Iraqi-born British architect, Zaha Hadid's design for the 2020 Olympic stadium in Tokyo won an international competition, but has received criticism. Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki described it as, "A turtle waiting for Japan to sink so that it can swim away." The 83-year-old warned: "Tokyo will surely be burdened with a gigantic white elephant." Not all new stadiums receive such objections.

The timing of the two payments, given Japan was awarded the Summer Games in September 2013, "justified the initiation of a separate criminal investigation," the French prosecutor's office said.

In the statement, the prosecutor said details of the payments emerged during a separate investigation into corruption and money laundering following revelations of widespread doping in Russian sport.

French prosecutors received the information in December last year, and launched a judicial investigation into an unnamed person to "verify if corruption acts and laundering were committed during the process of designation of the organizing city of the Olympics 2020."

Earlier this year, it was announced that the bidding and voting processes for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games would be investigated by French prosecutors as part of a wider probe into corruption in athletics.

The bidding and voting process for the 2016 Olympics concluded in 2009, with Rio seeing off competition from Madrid, while Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Games ahead of Istanbul and Madrid.

'City presented best bid'

Japanese authorities deny knowledge of any illicit payment and Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that it would abide by any investigation by French authorities.

Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – September 22, 1964: During the ancient ceremony at Olympia, Greek actress Aleca Katseli, lights the Olympic torch which will be carried to Tokyo by a relay of runners. Tokyo has been chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2020 Summer Games. We revisit the Games hosted by Japan in 1964. Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – The National Stadium in Meiji Park, Tokyo, pictured on April 23, 1964, where tens of thousands of spectators watched the opening and closing ceremonies. Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – The construction of the National Gymnasium of the Olympic Village at Yoyogi in Tokyo, where the athletes lived for the duration of the Games, pictured on June 6, 1964. Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – The completed National Gymnasium. The building was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – Olympic hostesses receive a briefing from an official at the main stadium in Tokyo, 1964. Hide Caption 5 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – September 1964: A Japanese policeman checks the signs to be used during the opening parade. Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – October 1, 1964: American pole vaulter Fred Hansen trains on a trampoline at the Olympic village in Tokyo. Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – This photo taken on October 10, 1964 shows the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games at the city's national stadium. Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – Yoshinori Sakai, a student born in Hiroshima on the day the first atomic bomb devastated the city, carries the torch up the stairs to light the cauldron during the opening ceremony on October 10, 1964. Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – October 10, 1964: Edith McGuire and Wyomia Tyus of the U.S. and Ewa Klobukowska of Poland during the Women's 100 meter final. Tyus won the race. Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – Australian swimming champion Dawn Fraser (in front) with her country fellow Linda McGill before the race where she set a new 100 meter record and became the first ever woman to finish in under a minute. During her career, she won eight Olympic freestyle medals, including four golds, and beat 27 world records. Hide Caption 11 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – The three winners of the featherweight weightlifting event on October 14, 1964. From left to right, they are Isaac Berger of the U.S. (silver), Yoshinobu Miyake of Japan (gold) and Mieczyslaw Nowak of Poland (bronze). Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – October 15, 1964: Robert Hayes of the U.S. (center) stands on the podium after receiving his gold medal for winning the men's 100 meter final. Silver medal winner Enrique Figuerola of Cuba (left) congratulates Harry Jerome of Canada, who came third. Hayes' time of 10.0 seconds was a new Olympic record. Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – October 21, 1964: Marathon runners keep warm in patterned blankets after the race. Hide Caption 14 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – Soviet athlete Valery Brumel (1942 - 2003) clears the bar at 2.18 meters in the high jump event during on October 21, 1964. Brumel set six world records, won the silver medal in the 1960 Olympics and the gold medal at these Games. Hide Caption 15 of 16 Photos: When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 When Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 – October 21, 1964: The Polish winners of the women's 4 x 100 meters relay race celebrate on the podium, with the American team who came second and the British team who came third. Hide Caption 16 of 16

"We believe that bidding for 2020 Olympic games is conducted in a clean manner," Suga said. "In any case if there will be any inquiry made by the French investigation authority, Japanese government will take an appropriate action based on the contents of the request."

"The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee has no means of knowing these allegations," said Hikariko Ono of Tokyo 2020 Press Office.

"We believe that the Games were awarded to Tokyo because the city presented the best bid."

The Tokyo 2020 Biding Committee also defended the funds, saying it paid "an amount" for professional services.

It said the services included consultation work, planning of the bid, tutoring on presentation practice and service for information and media analysis.

"All these services were properly contracted using accepted business practices," the bidding committee said. "... Furthermore, the amounts paid were in our opinion proper and adequate for the services provided and gave no cause for suspicion at the time."

The statement by the bidding committee was signed by the organization's ex-president, Tsunekazu Takeda, and ex-director general, Nobumoto Higuchi.