Tokyo 2020’s creative director has resigned after suggesting a female Japanese comedian could appear as an “Olym-pig” at the opening ceremony.
Hiroshi Sasaki made the comment about plus-size star Naomi Watanabe at a meeting last year – and later apologised.
“There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks,” Sasaki said in a statement issued through Games organisers in the early hours of Thursday. “I sincerely apologise to her and people who have felt discomfort with such contents.”
Sasaki said he had told Tokyo 2020, President Seiko Hashimoto, late on Wednesday evening that he was stepping down.
Last month, Yoshiro Mori stepped down from his role as president of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee after causing a furore with sexist remarks when he said women talk too much.
The Olympics are scheduled from July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5.
Tokyo Olympics creative head Hiroshi Sasaki said he has resigned after making a derogatory comment about a popular female Japanese entertainer https://t.co/HuTS7jJIWX
— CNN International (@cnni) March 18, 2021