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Mikako Kotani, who won two bronze medals for Japan in synchronised swimming in the 1988 Olympics, has been appointed sports director for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 54-year-old succeeds Koji Murofushi, the 2011 world hammer champion who has taken on a newer role as commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency.

“As sports director, I am very honoured and humbled to be able to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games from a sporting perspective and the perspective of an Olympian,” said Kotani in a statement.

Kotani will be the liaison between the organising committee of the Tokyo Olympics and the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations.

Plans ahead for Kotani

Kotani, who is fluent in English, was part of the bidding team to host the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She is expected to become the face of the organisers, as the games are postponed to July next year due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kotani has plans to build on the work previous sports director Murofushi has done in establishing better communication with athletes, and friendships with international federations.

“We will work hard to overcome the unprecedented challenge the world is facing, and help athletes perform to their best in a new kind of Games,” she said.