PROFILE : Morinari Watanabe, the IOC election outsider with an eye-catching idea

Record ID: 1984496

  • Title: PROFILE : Morinari Watanabe, the IOC election outsider with an eye-catching idea
  • Date: 13th March 2025
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (DECEMBER 10, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, MORINARI WATANABE, SAYING: "I'm president of the International Gymnastics Federation. Eight years. I visited 100, more than 160 countries and I visited country, I talk with the athlete, I talk with the authorities and I talk to the minister of the sports.
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: IOC IOC Presidential candidate Morinari Watanabe
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001876104022025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Current President of the International Gymnastics Federation, 66-year-old Japanese Morinari Watanabe would be a surprise winner of the IOC's Presidential election next Thursday (March 20).
    But one of his key pledges has caught the attention of the media - his idea to hold the Olympics simultaneously on five continents.
    The businessman helped run the covid-hit Tokyo Olympics, and has held multiple roles with the Japanese Olympic Committee.
    Among his manifesto pledges are:
    * Stage the Olympic Games in five cities from the five continents, in the same period of time. - IOC and IFs can choose a city that will provide an environment with less burden on athletes. Bringing the five continents together - The Games will be broadcast and streamed 24 hours a day, which will unite the world. 10 sports per host city, 50 sports in total. - With fewer (1/3) numbers of IFs involved per each of host city… will allow the use of more existing and temporary facilities to be considered. - Discussions will also be undertaken for the Winter Olympic Games to reduce the number of sports per host city with a view to organising the Games in several host cities and countries/regions.
    * As the Olympic Games expand to five continents, broadcast and streamed 24 hours a day, the reach of Worldwide Partners will increase and the broadcast and streaming time of Rightsholders will extend. I would like to discuss with the current Worldwide Partners and Rightsholders how they can further capitalize on the growing value. The IOC and the Partners/Rightsholders will build a ‘win-win’ marketing system to increase revenues.
    * As IOC members are experts in different fields, a system will be created to allow IOC members to actively contribute to the world by using their respective skills and careers. For example, politicians can promote "Sport and Politics" and entertainment industry professionals can promote "Sport and Entertainment"
    * Change in the term of office of the IOC President to a maximum of 12 years (from eight).
    * As President of the International Gymnastics Federation, I have visited more than 160 countries. I meet with athletes, coaches and officials from different countries and ask for their opinions. I believe it’s my job to listen to everyone and make their dreams come true.
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