Morinari Watanabe
Morinari Watanabe | |
|---|---|
渡邊守成 | |
.jpg) Watanabe in 2024 | |
| Born | 21 February 1959 Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
| Education | Tokai University (BPE) Tokai University (MA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique since January 2017.[1] Prior to his election in October 2016, he served as general-secretary of the Japan Gymnastics Association (2009–16) and was on multiple committees with the Japanese Olympic Committee.[2]
Watanabe is the ninth president of the FIG and its first Asian president.[3] In October 2018, the International Olympic Committee elected him as a new member.[4] He was also appointed an executive board member of Tokyo 2020.[5] In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president.[6] During the 144th IOC Session in March 2025, he got four votes, with Kirsty Coventry winning the election.[7]
Watanabe has faced criticism[by whom?] for his decisions regarding Russian athletes tied to the war in Ukraine. In March 2025, he was filmed embracing Nikita Nagorny, a Russian gymnast sanctioned by the UK, EU, and United States and a prominent supporter of the war, during a visit to Moscow.[8] The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) permitted Russian athletes with documented pro-war ties, including Angelina Melnikova, to compete under neutral status. In May 2026, Watanabe lifted all remaining restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes entirely.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Watanabe elected as president of International Gymnastics Federation". The Japan Times Online. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ↑ "WATANABE Morinari, Japan (JPN)" (PDF). FIG. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ↑ Turner, Amanda (19 October 2016). "Morinari Watanabe Elected President of FIG". International Gymnast Magazine Online. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ↑ "Olympics: World gymnastics chief Watanabe proposed as new IOC member". Kyodo News. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ↑ "Morinari Watanabe to be Appointed Executive Board Member of Tokyo 2020". aroundtherings.com. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ↑ "Seven candidates announced for IOC presidency". olympics.com. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ↑ "IOC President election 2025". Olympic.org. IOC. Archived from the original on 18 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- 1 2 "Winter Olympics 2026: Russian athletes linked to pro-war activity". BBC Sport. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "World Gymnastics lifts restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus, effective immediately". Gymnastics Now. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
External links
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