Tokyo 2020 Names Sporting Director

(ATR) Olympic artistic swimmer and Japanese Olympic Committee Executive Board member Mikako Kotani is the new sports director for Tokyo 2020.

Kotani replaces Koji Murofushi, who announced earlier this month that he was leaving to become commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency. He will still be involved in planning for the Olympics in his new position.

"As Sports Director, I am very honored and humbled to be able to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games from a sporting perspective and from the perspective of an Olympian," Kotani said in a statement.

"We will work hard to overcome this unprecedented challenge the world is facing, and help athletes perform to their best in a new kind of the Games. By further deepening communication with athletes as well as the understanding and friendship with international federations that Sports Director Murofushi has built, I will do my best to contribute to the success of these historic Games."

Kotani, 54, is a two-time Olympic medalist winning bronze in both solo and duet synchronized swimming competitions at Seoul 1988. She also became Japan’s first female flagbearer at those Games.

As sports director, she will serve as a liaison between athletes, international sports federations and the organizing committee. She will also help create the event schedules for both the Olympics and Paralympics.

Kotani assumes her new role on October 1.

Written by Gerard Farek

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