Tokyo Olympics chief’s sexist comments labelled ‘absolutely inappropriate’ by IOC

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Comments made by Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games chief Yoshiro Mori about women have been labelled "absolutely inappropriate" by the International Olympic Committee.

Mori has come under fire for saying last week that meetings with female participants take a long time, adding that they "get competitive" with each other.

He later apologised and retracted his comments while also attempting to justify them, inviting further criticism.

"The recent comments of Tokyo 2020 President Mori were absolutely inappropriate and in contradiction to the IOC’s commitments and the reforms of its Olympic Agenda 2020," the Olympic body said in a statement.

The Tokyo Games organising committee (TOCOG) will convene a special board meeting as early as Friday as a result of the outcry.

Following Mori's remarks, about 440 Games volunteers have quit and local organisers have received more than 5,500 complaints, according to local media.

The Tokyo Olympics was postponed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The IOC, working with local organisers to host the Games in July, did not mention any further action against Mori but said TOCOG also considered its own chief's comments as inappropriate

"Besides Mr Mori’s apology, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee also considers his comment to be inappropriate and has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality," the IOC said.

"As the leader of the Olympic Movement, we are committed to our mission to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures, as stated in the Olympic Charter."

Reuters