Tokyo Olympics to get a new chief; Seiko Hashimoto might step up to take the role

Seiko Hashimoto, Japan’s Olympics Minister is supposed to become the new president of the Olympics committee, filling the gap left by Yoshiro Mori. The Tokyo Olympics that was scheduled to take place in 2020 has already faced multiple oppositions and postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After Yoshiro Mori resigned as the president of the Olympics committee for making sexist remarks, the spot has been empty and needs to be filled by someone, who has awareness of gender equality. Mori had said that women talk too much, which caused quite a stir. On Tuesday, the selection committee met to choose a new president who could implement the values of gender diversity during the Games.

Seiko Hashimoto might suit this role well. Born in 1964, she has been a part of several Olympic Games in which she had taken part in various categories. She has participated in four Winter Olympics as a speed skater and three Summer Olympics as a cyclist.

Also Read | No hugging, COVID-19 test in every 4 days: Athlete rulebook for Tokyo Olympics out

She has more feathers on her hat than that. Besides being Japan’s Olympics Minister, she is also the minister for women’s empowerment since 2019.

The 56-year-old lawmaker is a part of Japan’s ruling party- The Liberal Democratic Party. Hashimoto may become the chief of the Tokyo Olympics now, only a few months before it is scheduled to begin from July 23.