'We also needed to confirm that her schedule had availability and she mentioned that she was available,' said Muto. Imoto had not been involved in any of the original plans for the handover ceremony. Still, it had remained a challenge for organisers to find a suitable Japanese person, already living in Greece and so not subject to travel restrictions, at short notice.įortunately, Imoto is working in Greece for UNICEF and, once she had checked her schedule, the 43-year-old accepted the honour. So, it has been one day ( since the decision was taken),' Muto told a briefing in Tokyo on Wednesday. 'It was yesterday when we decided that we felt a Japanese person was necessary to undertake this role, during the three-party meeting. Muto said the decision came following discussions with the International Olympic Committee and the Hellenic Olympic Committee. Just 24 hours later, however, Tokyo 2020 organising committee CEO Toshiro Muto announced that Imoto, who was part of the Japanese team that competed in the 800 metres freestyle relay at the 1996 Atlanta Games, would take the flame.

Instead, they said, the Japanese ambassador to Greece would receive the flame on their behalf during a ceremony set to take place in an empty stadium. Due to coronavirus concerns and travel restrictions placed on flying in and out of Europe, Tokyo 2020 had announced on Tuesday they would not be sending a delegation to Athens to receive the Olympic flame, as is customary for a host city.

Naoko imoto