Tokyo 2020 president resigns

Tokyo, Japan (February 12, 2021) – Yoshirō Mori has resigned as President of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee after his sexist comments about women sparked a global outcry and led to calls for him to step down.

The 83-year-old former Japanese Prime Minister offered his resignation during a meeting with Tokyo 2020 Council and Executive Board members today.

Mori’s departure leaves Tokyo 2020 needing to find a new head less than five months before the rescheduled Olympic Games are due to open and follows more than a week of intense criticism about his comments, where he implied women talk too much.

Former Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi, who at 84 is a year older than Mori, had emerged as the frontrunner to replace Mori but reports today have claimed he has turned down the role.

Local broadcaster Fuji News Network reported the Japanese Government, wary of causing further furor by appointing another older man, had blocked Kawabuchi’s nomination.

Tokyo 2020 promised it would “proceed with the appointment of a successor in a swift and transparent manner in order to limit the impact on our preparation for the Games.”

Organizers added, “We will also consider specific actions to take, in light of opinions and recommendations voiced at today’s gathering, regarding how we can use this opportunity to further promote gender equality in society.”

Tokyo 2020 has established a Candidate Review Committee, which will have equal gender representation, to oversee the appointment of Mori’s successor.

Organizers have also announced plans to establish a gender equality promotion team and to increased the number of female members of the Tokyo 2020 Executive Board.

The storm caused by Mori, who again apologized today, is the latest crisis for organizers of the rescheduled Olympics and Paralympics, who are battling waning public support for the event in Japan and suggestions the Games may have to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. – Full report

Tokyo Olympic Sailing Program
Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy – Finn
Men’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Women’s Windsurfing – RS:X
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Original dates: July 24 to August 9, 2020
Revised dates: July 23 to August 8, 2021