(ATR) Olympic champion Daichi Suzuki is to lead the newly-formed Japan Sports Agency.
The 48-year-old Suzuki, who won the men’s 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, was appointed head of the agency on Thursday by sports minister Hakubun Shimomura.
The Japanese Olympic Committee executive board member played a key role on the Tokyo 2020 bid. He is also a board member of the World Olympians Association.
The new body formed by the sports ministry is responsible for improving athletes’ performance for the 2020 Olympics.
The sports agency includes 121 staff members from seven different ministries, reported Kyodo news.
In coordinating Japan’s sports administration, it will also contribute to policy-making on sport and be involved with sports initiatives to engage local communities and improve the nation's health.
"I want to work hard to contribute to the development of society through sports," Suzuki was quoted by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
"What is important is to promote communications and teamwork to accomplish our missions," he said.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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