Lausanne, Switzerland; 30 September 2020:
World Olympians Association (WOA) has welcomed the appointment of WOA Executive Committee Member, Mikako Kotani OLY, to the role of Tokyo 2020 Sports Director after it was announced by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The double Olympic bronze medallist competed in synchronized swimming for Japan at the Olympic Games Seoul 1988 and at Barcelona 1992. She was also awarded the honour of carrying her nation’s flag at the Seoul 1988 opening ceremony, the first Japanese woman to fulfil the role.
Since competing Mikako has worked extensively within sports administration as a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Japanese Olympic Committee and previously as the chair of the Olympic Council of Asia’s Athletes Committee. As a member of WOA’s Executive Committee since 2016, Mikako has been instrumental in increasing the opportunities for Olympians, ensuring they are at the heart of planning for the upcoming Olympic Games, while also working tirelessly for the Olympians Association of Japan.
Mikako will succeed fellow Olympian Koji Murofushi OLY who has been named Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency.
WOA President, Joël Bouzou said:
"We are immensely proud of Mikako and have no doubt that she will prove to be an exceptional appointment by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee. Mikako is an invaluable asset to WOA, tirelessly supporting and advocating for Olympians in Japan, across Asia and around the world, and we wish her every success in her new role. She is the first sitting member of the WOA Executive Committee to hold the position of Sports Director of an Olympic Games."
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About World Olympians Association
WOA is the member organisation for the more than 120,000 Olympians worldwide. Our remit is to work for the benefit of all Olympians at all stages of their lives, empowering them to serve society and help make the world a better place. With 149 member National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents, WOA provides support to Olympian-run events and projects based on the Olympic ideals laid down by the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin.
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