Head of Tokyo Olympics refuses to resign following sexist remark

"Women are very competitive. When one of them raises her hand, they probably think they have to say something, too. And then everyone says something. If we are going to have more women directors, someone has remarked, then meetings go on for a long time unless we restrict the comments. I'm not saying who that is," the President of Tokyo Olympics, Yoshiro Mori, was quoted as saying in a Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) meeting by Asahi Newspaper, earlier this week.

Ever since this sexist remark from Mori, there have been constant cries for him to step down from the post from various quarters. In fact, 'Mori, please resign' was the top trend on Japanese Twitter on Thursday morning with people asking the sponsors of the quadrennial event to mount pressure on the organising committee to sack the president for the derogatory remark.

Mori, though, in a statement made it clear that though he was remorseful of the remark he made, he was unwilling to step down from the post at which he has worked for almost seven years.

"The statement made at the Japan Olympic Committee was an inappropriate expression, contrary to the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics. I am deeply remorseful. I would like to withdraw the statement. I would like to apologize for any unpleasant feelings."

"I am not thinking to resign. I have been working hard and helped devotedly for seven years. I will not be stepping down," the 83 year old said in a statement.

Out of the total 24 members in the JOC, only five are women. This low representation of women stays despite a 2019 decision of JOC where it was stated that around 40% of the people in the committee would be women.

This comment by Yoshiro Mori – who also happens to be a former Japanese Prime Minister, comes at a time when the entire Japan is divided over the push to organise the Olympics in the country under the prevailing circumstances.

The Olympics are expected to be held in the city of Tokyo from 23^rd July 2021 to 8^th August 2021, followed by the Paralympics from 24^th August 2021 to 5^th September 2021.