Koike: Sad That Tokyo Games Volunteers Have Quit
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko says she feels sad about local volunteers withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, following controversial remarks by the head of the organizing committee.
At least 97 volunteers recruited by Tokyo have informed officials of their decision to quit. The withdrawals came after Mori Yoshiro said at a Japanese Olympic Committee meeting last week that board meetings with women tend to drag on because they talk too much.
Koike told reporters on Wednesday that as the head of the host city, she is very sorry that so many people were offended at a time when Tokyo is trying to control the coronavirus and build up momentum for the Games.
The governor also referred to media reports that the International Olympic Committee, the organizing committee, and the Japanese and Tokyo governments will meet on February 17.
Koike said she does not intend to participate in the meeting because she believes a meeting at this time "would not send a very positive signal."