TOKYO, Mar 6 (NNN-NHK) – Tokyo 2020 organising committee president, Seiko Hashimoto, said here yesterday that, torchbearers and volunteers who had decided to withdraw from the Games will be welcome back.
About 1,000 volunteers have pulled out of the Games, since its former chief, Yoshiro Mori, made his controversial comments about women, and over 30 torchbearers, including dignitaries like star actress, Takako Tokiwa, actor, Rugger Tohru, former Japan international rugby player, Yu Tamura, and star sumo wrestler, Shoudai Naoya, have decided not to run the torch relay, due to start on Mar 25.
Hashimoto, speaking at her first news conference since taking over as the president, said, “First of all, we want the people to feel confident about the safety of our programmes. And if you want to come back, we will welcome you back.”
The seven-time Olympian, whose given name of “Seiko” means Olympic flame in Japanese, said that running the torch relay is a “tremendous honour” and “great opportunity.”
“I am confident that as many people as possible will take part in the torch relay,” she said.– NNN-NHK
