(ATR) As far as the IOC is concerned, the decision to appoint HASHIMOTO Seiko as the new Tokyo 2020 president is a slam dunk.
"We’re very pleased. It’s a positive way forward. She’s an Olympian, which is great. She has very good links to Prime Minister SUGA. She has the whole suite of things that you would expect from anyone doing that job," says IOC director of communications Mark Adams, speaking with Around the Rings for an upcoming ATRadio podcast.
HASHIMOTO, 56, succeeds MORI Yoshiro, the 83-year-old former Japanese prime minister who resigned on Feb. 12 amid worldwide criticism over sexist comments he made during a Japanese Olympic Committee meeting on Feb. 3.
"The circumstances surrounding the appointment of a new president have made the question of how Tokyo 2020 and the Games can further the cause of gender equality one of intense interest to many people," HASHIMOTO said.
HASHIMOTO had to quit as Olympics minister to become Tokyo 2020 president."I intend to approach this question with a sense of urgency and within the month set forth a system for implementation and begin delivering results."
She calls her new job "an immense and sobering responsibility" and with five months to the postponed Games, vows to "make safety the ultimate priority and do everything possible to prepare a Games where everyone may feel safe and secure".
"If you wanted to send a message about gender and exclusivity, both from our Japanese colleagues and ourselves, than what better to give her the chance and opportunity to lead the organizing committee when the Games come," Adams tells ATR.
HASHIMOTO, a seven-time Olympian, had to quit as Olympics minister in the SUGA cabinet to take over as head of Tokyo 2020. She will remain a member of the Japanese parliament. The new Olympics minister is MARUKAWA Tamayo, who served in that position from 2016 to 2017 under former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.
Written by Gerard Farekwith reporting from Ed Hula
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