Tsunekazu Takeda is under investigation in France over alleged corruption
The head of the Japan Olympic Committee, under investigation in France over alleged corruption, said on Tuesday he would stand down at the end of his term in June and resign from the International Olympic Committee.
Tsunekazu Takeda, a 71-year-old former equestrian who has chaired the JOC since 2001, has not been charged with any crime and continues to deny allegations that Japan paid bribes as part of its campaign to secure the 2020 games.
“I am extremely sorry to have caused such a disturbance to the public,” said Mr Takeda after a meeting of the JOC in Tokyo on Tuesday. “The most suitable thing is entrust the next era to a younger leader as we head into the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.”
Mr Takeda was placed under formal investigation in France in December over payments worth around $2m that were allegedly connected to Japan’s successful bid to host the games.
