Tokyo Olympics New Presidential Election Could Be Held This Week, Depending On Number Of Candidates

Tokyo Olympics (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The organizers of the Tokyo Olympics may elect their new president earlier this week after the previous chairman, Yoshiro Mori, resigned after his sexist comments sparked public outcry.

According to a report quoted by Antara from Reuters on Monday, organizers must immediately elect a new president to prepare for the Olympics with only five months left.

Nippon TV reports the election committee will hold its first meeting earlier this week. Committee members will also submit names of candidates so that elections for a new president can be held as soon as possible.

However, the process of holding the election could still continue until next week if many candidates come forward.

Among the candidates deemed to be able to replace Mori is Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, a seven-time Olympic athlete and pioneering female member of parliament.

But Hashimoto said last week that he had not been asked to replace Mori.

Another candidate who is also considered to be able to replace Mori is Mikako Kotani, a two-time Olympic athlete for beautiful swimming. Apart from Kotani, who currently serves on the Japan Olympic Committee, there is also former Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa.

The media said another possible candidate was Daichi Suzuki, an Olympic gold medalist in backstroke who now serves as the commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency, an organization aimed at promoting sport on a national scale.

Another candidate being considered is Koji Murofushi, an Olympic gold medalist in hammering who is now also a commissioner at the Japan Sports Agency replacing Suzuki.

Meanwhile, Mori's preferred candidate, Saburo Kawabuchi who is 84-year-old former president of the Japan Football Association, has rejected the post, according to media reports.