Related News
IOC: Mori鈥檚 comments 鈥榠nappropriate鈥
Print Edition
Sexist comments made by Tokyo 2020 chief Yoshiro Mori were 鈥渃ompletely inappropriate,鈥 the International Olympic Committee said yesterday, as the row over his controversial remarks continues to simmer.
The IOC鈥檚 statement came as Japanese media said organizers were planning to meet this week to discuss their response to the uproar.
Several hundred Olympic volunteers have quit since Mori said last week that women speak too much in meetings. He has since apologized but not stepped down, and the IOC last week said it considered the matter closed.
But yesterday it released a lengthy statement citing its commitment to gender equality and distancing itself from the remarks made by Mori.
鈥淭he recent comments of Tokyo 2020 President Mori were absolutely inappropriate and in contradiction to the IOC鈥檚 commitments and the reforms of its Olympic Agenda 2020,鈥 it said.
It noted Mori had apologized 鈥渁nd later made a number of subsequent comments.鈥
After apologizing, Mori appeared to dig himself in deeper, however, explaining he 鈥渄oesn鈥檛 speak to women much.鈥
The IOC made no reference to calls for Mori鈥檚 resignation, noting only that Tokyo鈥檚 organizing committee 鈥渁lso considers his comment to be inappropriate and has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality.鈥
Japanese media said yesterday the organizing committee could meet as soon as Friday to discuss its response as calls grow for Mori to resign.
Since Mori鈥檚 remarks, nearly 400 Olympic and Paralympic volunteers have quit, according to the committee, which said the number includes withdrawals for all reasons.
A total of 80,000 volunteers from Japan and overseas have been recruited for this summer鈥檚 virus-postponed Games.
Two people have pulled out of the torch relay and around 4,000 complained to organizers, said public broadcaster NHK.
The row is the latest headache for organizers already battling public disquiet about the delayed Olympics, with polls showing more than 80 percent of Japanese oppose holding it this summer.
An online campaign calling for action against Mori has attracted more than 140,000 signatures, while tennis superstar Naomi Osaka slammed his comments as 鈥渋gnorant.鈥
Top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said yesterday that organizers should try and convince volunteers to return. 鈥淚t is important that the organizing committee gives a careful explanation to volunteers,鈥 he said, days after a Tokyo 2020 statement reaffirmed a commitment to gender equality and diversity.
But ruling party heavyweight Toshihiro Nikai reportedly said on Monday that volunteers 鈥渨ould change their mind when things calm down鈥 鈥 sparking further ire online.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
