Olympic minister top candidate to replace Mori -NHK WORLD-JAPAN 8 hours ago
The Toyo 2020 organizing committee panel has tapped the Olympics minister to succeed Mori Yoshiro after he offered to step down last week. If Hashimoto Seiko accepts the request, the new president of the committee could be officially decided as early as this week.
The 56-year-old minister is an Olympic heavyweight herself, having competed in four Winter Games and three Summer Games in her sports of speed skating and cycling. She won the bronze medal at the 1992 Albertville Games. After hanging up her skates and cycling shoes, she headed the Japanese teams at Sochi and Rio de Janeiro.
On Wednesday, Hashimoto stayed mum when asked again if she has been approached.
Hashimoto said, " The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee has set up a panel and is now in the selection process. It's a personnel matter, so I have nothing more to say."
People in Tokyo will have to wait and see how things develop.
A woman said, " I can expect her to do her best because of her past activities and her age."
A man said," As the world is watching, I hope someone will be chosen through a transparent selection procedure so as not to prolong the process."
Mori offered to resign last week after sparking a storm of outrage over comments seen as demeaning to women.
The panel of four men and four Women agreed on five qualities required of the new president, including a deep understanding of gender equality.
If all goes to plan, the organizing committee is expected to hold a board meeting as early as this week to elect a new president. It will convene on Thursday to discuss relevant procedures.
