• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Tokyo Olympic Committee Names First Woman President

Olympic Rings
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

The Tokyo Olympics are making a major statement in Japan — they’ve put a woman in charge.

After Yoshiro Mori resigned last week following scrutiny over sexist remarks, Seiko Hashimoto, a former Olympic bronze medalist in speedskating, was appointed as the new president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee. Mori came under fire after saying he thought women on committees talk too much.

Mori originally handpicked another man in his 80s as his successor before the committee’s executive board — which is 80% male — took over. Hashimoto said she plans to double the amount of women on the committee to 40%.

“I’ve not seen this much movement or energy for gender equality in Japan for a long time,” said Kikuko Okajima, chair of the Women Empowerment League.

Hashimoto was at the center of her own controversy in 2014 when she led the Japanese delegation at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. She was photographed repeatedly kissing Daisuke Takahashi, a male figure skater who appeared uncomfortable in the moment. Takahashi said he didn’t consider the incident harassment, and Hashimoto has stated she hopes to show her “corrected behavior” through her leadership and regrets her “thoughtless actions.”

While Japan is taking every step it can to host the games, polls show 80% of the Japanese public want this year’s Olympics canceled, most likely in fear of worsening the pandemic.

The Tokyo games are set to be the most expensive in history with the official cost at $15.4 billion, however government audits say the price is closer to $25 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tony Hawk Finds His Enduring Fame ‘Baffling’

The skateboarder said it’s “still kind of a shock” to be recognized.
Grant Fisher

Grand Slam Track Admits It Is ‘Struggling’ To Pay Athletes Millions They’re..

It’s been weeks since a self-imposed deadline to pay athletes $3 million.
Sofi Stadium

Los Angeles Olympics Will be First to Sell Venue Naming Rights

The decision breaks with a longstanding Olympic policy.
Schultz of Israel-Premier Tech

Rice Krispies Treats Are Upending the Billion-Dollar Athlete-Fuel Wars

The world’s most elite athletes are eating like first graders.

Featured Today

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.
August 22, 2025

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’
Teahupo'o Tahiti Surfing
July 26, 2024

Olympic Surfing Crashes on Tahiti Like a Wave

For Teahupo‘o’s locals, the Olympics are a mixed blessing.