TOKYO – Sexual comments made by Tokyo Olympics leader Yoshiro Mori have drawn international criticism, in another blow to organizers who oppose criticism for holding the event last summer. despite an increase in infections and costs of COVID-19.
“I am sorry and I am sorry for the comments,” Mori told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday. He said he was “withdrawing” his views because they were inappropriate and against the spirit of the Olympics. However, he said he had “no intention” of resigning.
Mori, 83, said Wednesday that board meetings with many women “take so long,” in comments about a government campaign to increase the representation of female leaders. “Women have a strong sense of competition,” which is why “everyone talks” so much, he said.
The comment immediately caught domestic attention and many Japanese people posted their feelings on social media. His comments reflected the publication the same day of the International Olympic Committee’s implementation of their operational guidelines for sports alliances.
His remarks quickly made waves abroad, and were picked up in publications from the New York Times to The Washington Post and The Guardian.
“Definitely going to this guy’s corner at the breakfast table,” Hayley Wickenheiser, an IOC member from Canada, tweeted on Thursday.
“Yes, Mr. Mori, women can be precise. For example, for your answer, two words are enough: ‘Shut up’,” added Nathalie Loiseau, a French politician who is currently a Member of the Scottish Parliament. Europe, tweet in French Thursday. .
Mori, a former prime minister, has a history of making infamous statements. In 2000, when he remembered winning an election in 1969, he said: “When I greeted farmers from my car, they all went into their homes. I felt like that I had AIDS. ” As prime minister (2000-2001), his cabinet clearance rate dropped to 9% after he mishandled a fatal crash between a Japanese fishing vessel and a U.S. submarine.
But despite his gaffes and reluctance, Mori was named president of Tokyo 2020 in January 2014 following a trilogue between the Japanese government, the Tokyo metropolitan government, and the Japanese Olympic Committee.
Hakubun Shimomura, Olympic minister at the time, said Mori is the best candidate because of his strong network with domestic and foreign sports and business circles. Mori has been involved with national sports organizations since retiring in politics in 2001, including the Japanese Rugby Union.
It is reported that the government is offering the job to other candidates, such as Fujio Mitarai, then president of Cannon, and Fujio Cho, honorary chairman of Toyota Motor at the time. They both declined the offer.
Criticism continues to weigh heavily on Mori. On Twitter, posts with the hashtag “#Please posted, Mr. Yoshiro Mori” went viral.
Former Olympic Olympic silver medalist Noriko Mizoguchi entered the IOC code of ethics, marking a clause on the protection of human rights and denying any form of discrimination.
In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, Mori stressed that he had “no intention of disrespecting women,” but suggested that he would resign if public calls for them were taken. out.