Seiko Hashimoto, a former speedskater, track cyclist, and Japanese politician, took over as president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee.
Hashimoto, 56, replaces 83-year-old Yoshiro Mori, a former Japanese prime minister who was compelled to resign last week after making sexist comments about women. According to reports, Mori said women talk too much, prompting his removal as head of the 80% male board.
The new president is the first woman named to head the committee. Hashimoto also made history for appearing in seven Olympics, four in the winter and three in the summer, which is the most by any athlete competing in multiple seasons for the games.
"Now I’m here to return what I owe as an athlete and to return back what I received," Hashimoto told the board, according to an interpreter.
TOKYO OLYMPICS PRESIDENT RESIGNS AMID LEAKED SEXIST COMMENTS
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said in a statement Hashimoto was "the perfect choice for the job."
"With the appointment of a woman as president, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee is also sending a very important signal with regard to gender equality," Bach added.
Hashimoto competed in cycling in three Summer Olympics, including 1988, 1992, and 1996. She also competed in speedskating in four Winter Olympics, including 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1994. She received her sole medal, the bronze, at the 1992 Albertville Games in speedskating.
The newly appointed president faces a tough uphill battle as Tokyo prepares to host this year's Olympic games amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday, Japan began rolling out vaccines. Though their efforts are several months behind Britain and the United States, the move could boost safety precautions prior to the July 23 opening date.
The International Olympic Committee announced earlier this month they plan to have strategic testing during the games this summer. Athletes will not be required to receive a vaccine, though they will be strongly encouraged.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Japan has reported 419,896 cases and 7,218 deaths attributed to the virus since the outset of the pandemic, according to COVID-19 data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
