winter olympics

Tokyo 2020 chairman Mori critical of Asada, ice dancing brother and sister

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Fine Mr Mori, now show us your triple axel.

Prize plonker.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Even when he has been out of office for many years this oshiri no piero still makes stupid remarks. So..... Mao should not have competed in the team event, yet if she had stepped out she would have heard no end of criticism. I really hope something bad happens to Mori so he can be replaced by someone that is only mildly incompetent.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Mori was also critical of Japanese ice dancers Chris and Cathy Reed, who were born in the United States but compete for Japan. “They live in America,” Mori said. “Although they are not good enough for the U.S. team in the Olympics, we included these naturalized citizens on the team.”

First of all, Cathy and Chris are NOT naturalized citizens, their mother is Japanese - both Chris and Cathy had dual citizenship and they chose to be Japanese - I don't understand why Mori talks like they just came from somewhere else and became Japanese all the sudden.. they happened to be born in the United States but that doesn't change the fact that the mother is Japanese (and so the children are Japanese (and American) as well).

I am half Japanese half French, I never thought that I was just Japanese - and I never felt I was just French. I was/am both. I think it is a great insult for Chris and Cathy that Mori said what he said..

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Mike Will - I think you're missing the point that 1) Mori is not a skating expert/analyst or any kind of professional sports commentator, 2)If he did have any constructive criticism to give he should have given it in private to the people in charge of deciding who competes in what event, what he in fact did was ineffectual, mealy-mouthed nit-picking after the event 3) The condemnation he is getting here is not for 'speaking truthfully' but for exhibiting foot-in-mouth disease where it is not his place to stick his ha'porth in anyway, and 4) His comments about Japanese citizens being a) 'naturalised' and b) 'not good enough' for another country's team are sheer bigotted racist claptrap and totally beyond the pale.

He should not be on any Olympic committee, he is a waste of space, an empty bag of air and a discredit to Japan.

And still a plonker.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

The good thing now for the Japanese olympic team would be a publish an official rebuttal and request Mr Mori's immediate resignation from the Tokyo 2020 organization committee.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

What an undiluted arse this fat old man really is.

shut up and quit, you buffoon.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

what an idiot!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Full of Olympic spirit, this guy is. Great representative for Japan. Lmao

7 ( +10 / -3 )

A true Olympic chairman thanks players for their participation and for doing their best. The only time you criticize is when a player misbehaves or makes bad remarks during press interviews. I hope Japanese people can speak out against Mori for this to the point he steps down from office.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

If Mr. Mori is upset the Reeds live in America, how does he feel that gold-medalist Hanyu lives in Toronto and has 'gasp' a Canadian coach?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Tokyo 2020 chairman Mori critical of Asada, ice dancing brother and sister

Wonderful, an Olympic chairperson who seems to have never heard of sportsmanship. Mori was a lousy prime minister and is already proving to be a lousy Olympic chairperson.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@jojotoday - My sentiments exactly ! This dimwit has no business being in the position he's in for 2020 ! Let alone representing Japan in any international capacity ! Heck, representing Japan period !

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Better yet, don't say anything.

No. He should say something:

"I quit."

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Damned if you do and damned if you dont! Mori is a plonker - first rate and why he is the head of the Tokyo organization committee is beyond most people I believe. And Mr Mori, you should be thankful that there are athletes (despite their "nationalization") who want to compete for Japan......bet he would pack a right snot if noone wanted to compete!!!! Mao did her best and Japan should be thankful for that!!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Remember people, this is the same guy that kept playing a round of golf even after he learned of the death of thirteen Japanese citizens (including 4 high school students) from a collision with a US submarine.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

MarkX,

I think he was implying that. Mori, the worst PM in Japanese history (although Hatoyama gives him a run for his money).

They trained, they competed, they came up short. Say, "otsukare" you buffoon. Better yet, don't say anything.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I doubt he will make it to 2020.. Looks like the Reeds were competing for Japan since 2007.. Their mom is Japanese. Many athletes train and live in other countries than the one they compete for.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Whats wrong Mori? Their blood isnt good enough for you? They chose Japanese citizenship which means they can compete for the Japan team. It was your 100% blood Japanese politicians that made the law so can it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Mike Will - I think it is unfair to say Mao has problems with pressure; she is arguably Japan's most-successful female figure skater and didn't have any problems with pressure when winning 2 World Championships, 4 Grand Prix Finals, 3 Four Continents Championships, a World Junior Championship and a Junior Grand Prix Final (and many silver and bronze medals, too)... Also, she is a member of the Olympic team and was named to the team as the best female skater Japan could put forth-if a country is not going to put out their best in the team event, why bother? To agree with cleo, it is not his place to criticize her or any of the other athletes; Takanashi didn't win ski jump, hockey team failed to win a game, etc...who cares? Every country sometimes doesn't meet expectations (Russian men's hockey, anyone?), but the athletes did their best and should be accorded the courtesy of a "Thank You," for representing their country with dignity, rather than being smacked down by a clueless, old barf mat like Mori.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

JeffLee

Because the people who appoint them are no different from they are. And that goes for the Japanese public who continually elect the latter group to office.

JeffLee, that's a load of crap. You know that majority of the public aren't involved in the decision making process. This guy was likely elected not because he has any public support, but because he has "friends" and "connections" in his clique. Japan is still an old boys' club where "connections" greatly matter, not because one has public support.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

"...And his appointment to the Tokyo 2020 committee was criticized by some analysts who believe the 76-year-old former PM is too old to hold such a position."

"Too old to hold such a position" is something that can be said about virtually everyone in this country that holds an agency, ministry, or authoritative position in this country. And that they're male. Male about from 70 to 75.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"Why does Japan put these fools in higher positions?"

Because the people who appoint them are no different from they are. And that goes for the Japanese public who continually elect the latter group to office.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I would pay a lot of money to see this guy get on the ice himself ... and promptly fall flat on his face.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who couldn't get "HOW are you" correct? Ah, THAT buffoon!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

they should really get someone younger and more in-tune with sport than this idiot. i.e., a retired and respected athlete like Sebastian Coe who was the chairman for the London Olympics.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

How dare he say that about Mao. I hope he repented when he saw her absolutely stunning performance in the free.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

>What is the Olympic? For who? For what?

Games. For the players. For the sport.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He's just mad Johnny Weir turned him down for date. Sour grapes.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

He should retire asap, you just CANT have someone like that as a head of the Olympics. IF Japan wants to clean up their image, he has to go.....ASAP!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What an idiot. Keep your stupid comments to yourself, and leave Mao-chan alone!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Interesting that as the head of Japan Rugby, Mori has never spoken up on the fact that up to half the Japan Rugby team is foreign-born. Obviously senility has affected the old dope!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

So Mori will only be 82 years old when the Olympics start on 2020? All I can say is wow.

Let me think for a moment. When the worlds eyes are on Tokyo / Japan in 2020, I just wonder if Mori or some Japanese bureaucrat will open their mouths and say something stupid and completely embarrass Japan?

BurakuminDesFEB. 21, 2014 - 10:44AM JST Interesting that as the head of Japan Rugby, Mori has never spoken up on the fact that up to half the Japan Rugby team is foreign-born. Obviously senility has affected the old dope!

Exactly.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yo Mori, Chris and Cathy Reed are as much Japanese as Yu Darvish.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Perhaps Mr. Morii would care to explain why these guys were given Japanese citizenship to be on the roster of the 1998 Japanese National Men's Hockey Team for the Nagano Olympics... DAN Daikawa, RYAN Fujimoto, DUSTY Imoo, MATTHEW Katayama, RYAN Kuwabara, STEVE Tsujiura and CHRIS Yule. Coached by Bjorn Kinding. General Managed by David King.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Gee, I wonder why nobody wanted this old fart as the head of Tokyo 2020! I'm surprised he didn't call Chris and Cathy Reed a bunch of dirty gaijins! But, in a way, i do agree with his comment about Mao! Not that she falls, but by her taking part in the team competition and not landing the triple axle, I wonder did it put more pressure on her.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan needs some new men in charge of pretty much a lot of organisation. These old people doesn't hold anything back when it comes to criticism except their incompetency. As the host of international event of 2020, Japan needs to step up and quit giving the athletes unnecessary pressures.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am hoping--but not, unfortunately, expecting--to see news of this buffoon resigning the position, for which nobody in his right mind should have considered him in the first place.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mori is an imbecile and heaven knows how he ever was able to hold positions of prominence.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Mori and that NHK chief ?? Why does Japan put these fools in higher positions?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

And this, people, is your committee chairperson. Congrats!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If he has these words for athletes representing Japan, wonder what he will say to gaijin athletes that dare coming to 2020 Tokyo Games.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mori wouldn't know the notion of olympic spirit if it kicked him in the keister. Only cares about medal....pretty sad.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mori & Momi representing the Japanese media in 2014 - there you have it, folks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Criticise the Japanese Olympic Committee, the domestic skating federation, not the athletes themselves.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What a complete moron. Japan more than most countries in the world should have age caps on positions of power. There are more old people than young people in Japan now, and they are rigging the system for themselves. It's all short term to them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"They live in America," Mori said. "Although they are not good enough for the U.S. team in the Olympics, we included these naturalized citizens on the team."

Mori wins gold for Japan in the half-wit Olympics.

As noted above, they are not naturalised citizens, but Japanese by birth, just the same as Mori.

Mori's statement also suggests that he thinks the US team is better than the Japanese team. If that's the case, why is he complaining about Japanese not winning medals?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Perhaps he's comparing Asada's commitment to skating with his commitment to golf. Wasn't he the one who was so involved in his game of golf during his stint as PM that he just didn't want to leave when told about a ship sinking and the death of some of his countrymen? Now that's what I call dedication to one's sport!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Was this guy a former figure skater or something? While I don't know the ins and outs of figure skating, from what I saw in Mao Asada's free skate program, she gave it her all and even got a season's best. In fact, her free skate score was the 3rd best of the day. And this was just a day after her disappointing short program.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

He was the crappiest in a string of crappy Prime Ministers in the 90's and apparently does not feel the need to change his reputation. .

1 ( +2 / -1 )

While it wasn't a bad idea having Japan enter the team event, maybe they should have had someone other than Mao compete, especially since they knew the intense pressure she was already in the ladies singles. As for the comment about the Reeds, that was just classic foot-in-mouth. Apparently it's not the first time he's made comments like this. Is there any way of replacing or making him step down before 2020? I'm sure there's someone younger and more qualified for the post.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Although they are not good enough for the U.S. team in the Olympics, we included these naturalized citizens on the team.

Lol. Russia has naturalized Victor Ahn, ex-korean short-track champion, and Vic Wild - American born Russian snowboarder. Victor was not good enough for the Korean team, Vic for the U.S. team, but with the support of Russia both of 'em became Olimpic champions. Also there is japanese born Russian figure skater Yuko Kawaguchi - unfortunately her partner got unjured, so she wasn't on Sochi Olimpic games. They are silver medalist of Russian Cup in 2013, so they had a chance to became olimpic medalist. It is a merit of Russian coaches. So maybe better to stop blame athletes and find out problems of japanese athlete trainig system?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Mori was also critical of Japanese ice dancers Chris and Cathy Reed, who were born in the United States but compete for Japan.

"They live in America," Mori said. "Although they are not good enough for the U.S. team in the Olympics, we included these naturalized citizens on the team."

Because they're still better than any other Japanese ice dancing duo.

Seriously, who else are ya gonna send?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Please remove this idiot from his job.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hee hee... siblings named Reed skated for Japan, while siblings named Shibutani skated for the USA.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hope her free program shut him up. I'd like to see Mori step onto an ice rink. Why this guy still has any sort of job is beyond me.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Coming from a man who, as we all know, represented Japan with distinction on the international stage. The only reason people remember this man is due to the fact that he is a gaffe-prone windbag. Chairperson? Surreal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hindsight is always better than foresight you old goat. If Asada had of landed every triple and the team walked away with the gold you would not have made your ridiculous comments. If by chance Japan didn't field a team in the team section, you probably would have been in the newspapers demanding why Japan didn't enter a team as they would have most certainly won the gold. Sheesh.....either way you would have complained.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

She is a good skater,but this wasn't her time. No one should put these skaters down. They work very hard,almost daily . And with the new scoring,one can't say who the winner will be till they skate.It's how good they skate,how strong they are .Also how the blades hit the ice in jumps.Different than twenty years ago. There is a lot of pressure on these skaters and it how they can react to it and skate.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm not a fan of Mr. Mori, but he only critisized the fact that Asada was included in team event because she had to come to the venue early which makes it difficult for her to concentrate on her personal event. Kim of Korea entered Sochi just before the personal event. I've heard an athlete saying a similar thing, the difficulty of spreading the peak of best condition into two.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Way to go, you contributors. Take Mori to the cleaners without looking seriously at what he said. Fact. It is true that Asada Mao does have problems with pressure, as evidenced by the beautiful program she skated last night when she knew there was no unreasonable expectation of a victory. Fact. It is very likely that participation in the team event, and the subsequent loss incurred, put even more pressure than normal for her to succeed in the short program, resulting in her, (Much lower than usual), score and 10th place. Fact. Japan coaches and skating authorities should not have entered her in the team event knowing her propensity to not perform under pressure especially when the team event takes place before the singles and that a loss would increase the pressure.

Any disputing the above as reasonable statements of fact. If so please respond without vitriol and with a logical and reasoned counter proposal.

If not, then recognize that what Mori said may not have been politic or tactful but it is quite possibly true and the condemnation he is getting on these pages is because he is speaking truthfully??? So we damn the truthful and would prefer sugar coated platitudes.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Read the article below if you can understand Japanese.

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/smp/sochi2014/news/140220/soc14022019180058-s.htm

I think he didn't criticize and blame Mao. About the Reed, I can understand his saying a little. What is difference with the Reed and other members is we know the members growing since they were young. We know how they fought the competitions in the past but the Reed. Of course the Reed has a right to be Japanese citizens. so I think some ppl don't feel very special to them.

We see some athletes changing national citizenship and participate the competitions cuz of many reasons. Some ppl say Olympic is getting board-less now, then it does't need national flag or song anymore. What is the Olympic? For who? For what?

-15 ( +0 / -15 )

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