Tokyo Olympics Chief Reportedly Stepping Down Following Sexist Remarks

Tokyo 2020 Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori will resign from his position following sexist remarks he made last week, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday.

Mori initially claimed he would not resign during his public apology last week.

The 83-year-old’s comments, which made headlines on Feb. 4, included him saying that women talk too much, and that “board meetings with lots of women take longer.”

“When you increase the number of female executive members, if their speaking time isn’t restricted to a certain extent, they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying,” he was quoted as saying.

“Women are competitive. When one person raises a hand, others think they need to speak up as well. That’s why everyone speaks.”

Following these comments, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to gender equality on Feb. 9, condemning Mori’s comments and calling them “inappropriate.”

IOC member and five-time Canadian Olympic medalist Hayley Wickenheiser called the news “progress” on Twitter.

Wickenheiser, who owns four gold and one Olympic silver medal in women’s ice hockey, had first responded to Mori’s remarks last week, tweeting “Definitely going to corner this guy at the breakfast buffet. See ya in Tokyo!!”

Mori is expected to officially resign on Friday during a meeting of Tokyo 2020 Council and Executive Board members.

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Anonymoose
3 years ago

Ok this is kinda funny. Ofc it’s sexist and i don’t agree with it and he should step down.

That being said…
1) he’s 83 years old!!! Why was he working any kind of job anymore in the first place lol
2) glad it was pretty harmless sexism and i don’t think any mentally sane women were offended by that
3) this wickenheiser sounds like a horrible person.. you wanna corner (and beat up?) an 83 YEAR OLD???! Wtf man what an appropriate reaction to a joke wtf… yes a very stupid joke, still a harmless stupid joke goddamn

Corn Pop
3 years ago

  1. Question re this Canadian person . Why would she be at a breakfast buffet in Tokyo in a pandemic?
  2. As Princess Anne stated ( herself a Olympian & official ), she is thankful Tokyo has kept the door open under great duress & hope is ongoing.. Nobody doubts that had Covid19 not exploded Mori would have led a very successful Games . The problem is if Yoshiro got bored with the pretense of the games still being on when they are not..

3 Nobody but Nobody goes up to the host at a Japanese function in Japan & confronts them .Sane people
that have not been hit in the head by hockey sticks would… Read more »

Gator
3 years ago

Glad things continue to move forward to Opening Ceremonies.

Eddie
3 years ago

I think the real sexism is for example to pay a woman less than a man for the same job. Discrimination is sexism. But to say in a jokingly way that a meeting would last more if there were women involved, impliying that women normally speak more than men, is just a joke. By behaving like this, we keep ignoring the real discrimination and instead of going forward the society is actually going backward.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Eddie
3 years ago

Making jokes about certain groups is a part of the discrimination, and helps perpetuate discrimination…and people from those groups are sick of being made a joke of….

Eddie
Reply to  Torchbearer
3 years ago

That’s overreacting and 100% fake woke. If I say in an ironic way ‘white people can’t jump’, is that racist ? Of course it’s not 100% true, but it’s a fact that white people are normally less explosive than for example black people.
I’m white, I don’t think that’s offensive, it’s just a joke. In theory we should ban every joke then, so don’t be part of the cancel culture. Please.

Nah
3 years ago

Well… he’s not wrong

Troll Longhorn
Reply to  Nah
3 years ago

He fits the “A wise man once said…” profile.

worm
Reply to  Troll Longhorn
3 years ago

what did a wise man say? we must know

Samesame
Reply to  Nah
3 years ago

Everything he said applies to males as well

PVSFree
Reply to  Nah
3 years ago

Just a thought: if you’re agreeing with a guy who was fired from his job for making sexist remarks, you might want to re-examine the way you think about the world

Mikeh
Reply to  PVSFree
3 years ago

I thought it was pretty funny. And let’s not pretend that jokes like this aren’t allowed…he just chose the wrong target.

Nah
Reply to  PVSFree
3 years ago

You’re right, let me rephrase, it has been psychologically proven men and women speak about the same amount of words per day. It just feels longer when women do 😉 how’s that reexamination?

Irish Ringer
3 years ago

These days you should only recite pre-canned statements. Do like Joe and make a statement and then walk away.

Questionable
Reply to  Irish Ringer
3 years ago

Joe cant even do that. His handlers are really slacking on their job.

Troll Longhorn
Reply to  Irish Ringer
3 years ago

Cancel culture even caught Gino Carano.

Vic
3 years ago

“Wait did I say those things out loud”?

Olympunks & Gamester Bullies
Reply to  Vic
3 years ago

It’s best to be 85% PC…and keep the other 15% to yourself.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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