Seiko Hashimoto

Hashimoto to accept top Tokyo Olympics job after former boss quits

Hashimoto, who competed in seven Summer and Winter Olympics as a cyclist and a skater, now faces a raft of tough issues at the helm of one of the world's biggest sporting events with less than half a year before its delayed start.

She must ensure athletes and officials are kept safe from the coronavirus, while also facing strong public opposition to the Games being held amid the pandemic.

Hashimoto announced her selection shortly after submitting her resignation as Olympics minister to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who encouraged her to make the Games successful.

Tokyo Olympic committee to select woman as new chief

 

Yoshiro Mori quit as committee president last week after saying that women talk too much, dealing another blow to an Olympic Games already marred by a year-long delay and strong public opposition due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The panel will ask Hashimoto if she wants to take the position, NHK said.

"The selection panel is moving towards asking her," it said.

Kyodo news agency said the Tokyo 2020 organising committee would meet on Thursday to select a new president.

Hashimoto declined to comment on the report.