Gaffe-prone Olympics minister Yoshitaka Sakurada apologized Wednesday for saying that he is “really disappointed” over swimming star Rikako Ikee’s leukemia diagnosis. Sakurada, who is…
Gaffe-prone Olympics minister Yoshitaka Sakurada apologized Wednesday for saying that he is “really disappointed” over swimming star Rikako Ikee’s leukemia diagnosis.
Sakurada, who is in charge of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, retracted comments he made a day earlier after the remarks quickly triggered a massive backlash from both the public and fellow politicians.
“She is a potential gold medalist, an athlete for whom we have great expectations. I’m really disappointed,” Sakurada told reporters hours after the teenage swimming sensation revealed her illness Tuesday.
Ikee, 18-year-old Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold-medal hopeful, who has attracted fans at home and abroad, is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment.
Sakurada was also quoted as saying that he hoped she would “focus on her treatment and do her best,” adding that he wants “to see her well.”
However, the minister, who doubles as the government’s cybersecurity strategy chief and is no stranger to controversy, appeared to place more of an importance on motivating the Japanese Olympic team than Ikee’s well being.
