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TOKYO 2020 CEREMONIES DIRECTOR RESIGNS AFTER FEMALE DEROGATORY SUGGESTION
The executive creative director for the Tokyo 2020 Ceremonies has said he will resign after he suggested comedian and plus-size fashion icon Naomi Watanabe dress up as a pig for a section of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
In another scandal for the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee following the resignation of Yoshiro Mori as President last month in a sexism row, Hiroshi Sasaki has offered to step down from his role after making the derogatory remark.
Sasaki’s suggestion – where he proposed a play on the word “Olympic” with his “Olympig” section, involving Watanabe coming down from the sky dressed as a pig – was reported by weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun.
According to Kyodo News, Sasaki has apologised for what he admitted was “a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks” and has offered his resignation to President Seiko Hashimoto.
The 66-year-old, who became executive creative director for all four Tokyo 2020 Ceremonies in December, said his proposal, made last year, had been retracted following criticism from other members of the planning team.
“I sincerely apologise to her and people who have felt discomfort with such contents,” Sasaki said.
Shukan Bunshun reported Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto, the replacement for Mori after he quit following derogatory comments he made about women, had held emergency talks with a senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official before Sasaki announced he would step down.
Sasaki’s resignation marks the latest controversy linked to the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and comes at a time where it is attempting to repair its reputation following the damage done by Mori’s sexist comments.
“I tend to joke often, so I said it just as something that slipped out of my mouth,” Sasaki told the magazine.
“[The idea of Watanabe] wearing a cute pink costume and sticking her tongue out as an ‘Olympig.’
“I thought that would make her look charming, but I was immediately reprimanded by male staff.
“I feel remorse.”
Sasaki was originally chosen to oversee the Paralympic Ceremonies, but was promoted in December after organisers suspended the initial seven-person planning team following the postponement of the Games.
The former official for Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Inc was responsible for the flag handover ceremony at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which featured then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe dressed as Super Mario.
It appears Tokyo 2020 have been swifter to act compared with the Mori incident as the former Japanese Prime Minister remained in his post for over a week before he eventually resigned amid international furore at his remarks.
Mori sparked controversy after claiming Board meetings involving women often overrun because they talk too much.
Tokyo 2020 has since added 12 women to its Executive Board as part of plans to improve gender equality within the organisation.
The Olympics and Paralympics were postponed to this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Insidethegames has contacted the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for comment.
-insidethegames
Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.
South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.
KEY QUOTES
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”
Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”
-Reuters
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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.
Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.
The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.
Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.
While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.
Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.
FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.
HARSH REALITY
The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.
One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.
Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.
“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”
By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.
Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.
“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”
As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.
After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.
-Reuters
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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.
Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.
Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.
In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.
Results of Semi Finals (Women)
- Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
- Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)
Results of Semi-Finals (Men)
- Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
- Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
WOMEN’S FINAL
- Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons
MEN’S FINAL
- Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United
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