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Asada wavering on retirement; says Mori's comments didn't bother her

34 Comments
By Elaine Lies

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34 Comments
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This is news? Of course Asada is not going to give both barrels openly to Mori, the Chairman of the Tokyo Olympics. She is smart enough to wait until nature takes its course.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Full credit to Mao-chan for shrugging off senile Mori's "regrettable" and "misunderstood" comments. She is a class act.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

If I were asked the same question, I would have directed concern to the state of Japan's mental health facilities for not allowing Mori to receive the proper treatment he obviously requires. Also maybe would have thrown in an announcement for a fundraising skate event to raise money for Mori's treatments.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

As Burakumin has mentioned, Mao-san is a class act, don't retire yet, and don't stoop to Mori's level ! Ganbarre, Mao-san !

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Gee... isn't that the same "Mr. Mori" who was more-or-less forced out of office after his approval ratings fell into the low single digits? The one who finished his round of golf after hearing about the fishing boat that sunk after a US submarine collided with it? That "Mr Mori"???

3 ( +4 / -1 )

dcog lol. Mao-chan is just too classy to make any snide remarks back at Mori. I hope he realizes now how foolish he looked with those stupid comments of his. Mao said she will compete at Worlds first, and then decide whether to go again in 2018. Whatever she decides, she's got my support.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Mori later said his remarks were misunderstood.

Translation: I meant exactly what I said, but I am really hoping people will have short memories and forget all about it every soon.

“I’m only human and humans fail. Of course, nobody who fails wants to,” she said. “I don’t care at all now about those remarks. That’s past, but I’m afraid that perhaps Mr Mori maybe regrets his comments a bit.”

Yey, Mao. Always a class act!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Did Mori seriously say his comments were misunderstood? Politicians here really never get tired of that excuse. Were his comments about the brother/sister team also misunderstood?

Mao should tell it like it is; the fat pig has no place in talking about performance.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hope he realizes now how foolish he looked with those stupid comments of his

Does he care? Publicity at all costs!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

why someone who has nothing to do with sport in general at all is allowed to be a top of commitee, and why you all salute her for keeping her head down. Any proper athlete would properly lash out at that senile old men who has no business being out of a care facility in the first place

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Courageous young lady. Good luck to her whatever she chooses as the next stage of her career.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Mao should retire & rest, what Mori said will remain on record.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The comments bothered her deeply, as they would anyone.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

There has not been an "Olympic" Game,( neither winter or summer) for 90 years. I hope this young lady one day acknowledges that simple fact. Very sad, I am old enough to remember the "Games" that at time to me they were still somewhat "amateurish". But looking back? I think between WWI and WWII they had no longer anything to do with any amateur sports! Then they became political ( for instance the 1980 Moscow / LA situation, add the Berlin 1936 event) and now they are nothing but a commercial "event". I feel sorry for the people in Sochi They have been sc.w.ed over, because that place (is and) will be a disaster! (look at the Sarajevo Bosnia after the winter games). Then please just go and take a look 6 months from now at Sochi and leave me an opinion then! Thanks. And thanks to the athletes that competed at their best, I apologize if I offended anyone that was not my intend. 51 billion dollars for a 2 week event, wow, and btw did anyone notice how the media shut up just before the start about the appalling conditions in the "Village" ? The toilets that did not work, the guys that could not get out of their rooms? Thanks, sorry about the rant (TJ).

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"...perhaps Mr Mori maybe regrets his comments a bit.”

"...the miserable, attention-seeking old goat.", she added under her breath as she turned to another reporter.

I was there, I heard her. I am the ear-licker.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

'Misunderstood' - a word I'm totally sick of hearing from the likes of Mori when he let's off a verbal stink bomb in Japan. 'Mistranslated' is often used when some balloon head lets out some air to a foreign audience. Both audiences are familiar with the dickhead language.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Mao is a young beautiful girl with full of bright future.

Mori is an old fart waiting to croak.

No point for a young beautiful girl to waste her energy on an old useless fart!!

I hope Mao will go for 2018, and pull off a Kostner or even better. Kostner was about to give up too, until she finally won a bronze.

My honest opinion is that if Mao really wants a gold, then I think she needs to train abroad so she doesn't have to put up with all the distraction. When Yuna won the gold, she was properly coached and she didn't have the distraction in Canada unlike what she has to deal with in Korea.

If she retires, that's fine too. As long as she knows that everyone supports her no matter what her decision is.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Alex, "why someone who has nothing to do with sport in general at all is allowed to be a top of committee, and why you all salute her for keeping her head down. Any proper athlete would properly lash out at that senile old men who has no business being out of a care facility in the first place"

Perhaps you are unaware that Mori is the head of the Japan Rugby Association and was an active player just 10 years ago. He has been responsible for bringing the Rugby World Cup to Japan in 2019 and is very well respected by the IRB.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

She had best not retire - I want to see her land three triple axels in the next Olympics!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Maybe there could be one interview with Akiko Suzuki who is actually retiring. And not another 5 hrs a day about Mao. Give propers to Akiko and Kanako. There are other skaters.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mao Asada: Class act. Thank you Mao for everything you've done. Mori: Moronic wingnut. Please go away. Wish you were never here.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So happy to read this. Mao-san, don't quit!

And as for that ridiculous Mori person, well my one consolation is that we'll be rid of him in a few years time.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Mori has been in twilight for years. He can't even tell between day and night.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Mao is more matured than Mr. Mori!!!!! I feel like this after I listened Mao' press meet.

Don't quit, Mao! Take a Zazen for a while and train to fight on!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If she really retires, I hope she will be trained for JOC chair person. Then 2014 Summer Olympic will be not ran by a big mouth man who insult Japanese players and Japanese players can perform with peace of mind.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Mike Will, seriously ? A rugby player heading IOC committee ? Whats next , a minor hockey player to head F1 racing committee ? Rugby was a "sport" excluded from olympics at some point btw ... I dont see his relevance at all

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A Veteran Olympian and Silver Medalist that holds the Olympic World Record from Vancouver for performing 3 Triple Axle's in the short run...

I'd say Yes. Keep skating. Nothing to lose at this point except her pride.

Only this time, if she decides to go to Peyongchang in 2018, she'll be the underdog, but an underdog with a "signature move" and that's something to think about.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

She should take his job HA!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I just knew this would be swept under the rug after a few days. This old fool has continued to embarrass the nation and he gets away with it. The apathetic response by the Japanese people is more disgusting than the actual remarks. Head of the Tokyo Organizing Committee? What a joke.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

...And Mori's remarks were not "Misunderstood".

They were received "Loud and Clear"!

And besides, why is Shinzo Abe "politicizing" the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by putting that Meat Head as his Committe Chairman?

I don't know what's going on in the Japanese Government lately, but the tone and attitude from some of Abe's Lieutenants are really starting to sour things regionally and "Lashing Out" at their own Olympians just hit new Sour Low.

After Mori stops backpedaling, he needs to bow out and leave the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Committee before that Loose Cannon Mouth of his causes more embarrassment for the Abe Administration.

AND he needs to formally apologize to Mao Asada, her Coach, and the Japanese Olympic Committee.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“I’m only human and humans fail. Of course, nobody who fails wants to,” she said. “I don’t care at all now about those remarks. That’s past, but I’m afraid that perhaps Mr Mori maybe regrets his comments a bit.”

Maos Asada -- as always, a class act. Too bad the old foggies running the Tokyo Olympics, and Japan Inc. in general, don't have one-half as much class. Japan would be MUCH better off if they did. I hope she tours and it comes here to my city in the states -- I would pay to see her skate.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Lol he didn't fail! Hahaha.... They want his head on a plate...

But other politicians can say comfort women never happened, or something that makes folks angry... They can retract statements and things are ok....

But make a comment about a figure skater, omg.... I love this backwards society i live in ;)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The comments he made towards the brother sister team about not being Japanese are far more disturbing than the ones he made towards Asada. It seems his racism has been forgotten about already. Typical in this country.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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