Hashimoto Seiko has officially been chosen as the president of the Tokyo Games organizing committee. She stepped down from her cabinet position as Olympics Minister.

Hashimoto said, "The Tokyo Games are just five months away, and we have to secure safety for Japan and the world. The most important issue is coronavirus prevention."

The 56-year-old is an Olympic heavyweight herself.

She competed in four Winter Games in speed skating, and three Summer Games in cycling.

The selection panel held a series of closed-door meetings to decide who should lead organizers through these last months of preparations.

Hashimoto will have the task of moving organizers beyond an international controversy sparked by her predecessor, Mori Yoshiro.

He offered to step down last week, after making seemingly sexist remarks that unleashed an international backlash.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has decided to appoint a lawmaker of the ruling party, Marukawa Tamayo, to fill Hashimoto's cabinet position. Marukawa is a former Olympics Minister.

Source: ANNnewsCH