'Unacceptable': Olympics rocked after bizarre 'bullying' revelation
The music composer of the Tokyo Olympics opening and closing ceremony has resigned after backlash from an old interview emerged.
Experimental musician Keigo Oyamada, known as Cornelius, quit his role this week only days out from the opening ceremony, after former comments about him admitting to bullying students with handicaps during school emerged.
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The composer's departure follows that of several key Tokyo 2020 officials including former chief organiser Yoshiro Mori who stepped down over sexist comments.
Organisers also said they would not use the four-minute-long composition by Oyamada in Friday's ceremony.
"I have offered my resignation to organisers," Oyamada said on Twitter.
"By sincerely accepting the suggestions and opinions given by many people, I want to reflect on my conduct and thoughts from now on. I truly apologise," he said.
After news of his involvement in the music for the ceremony began to circulate online, interviews from the mid-1990s re-emerged in which Oyamada discussed, without apparent remorse, his bullying of schoolmates with handicaps.
His actions and his remarks sparked outrage online, and Tokyo 2020 organisers said at the weekend they had not been aware of the remarks, "but they are inappropriate".
BREAKING: Keigo Oyamada, composer for Olympics opening ceremony, resigning after admitting to bullying children with disabilities while in school
— Motoko Rich (@motokorich) July 19, 2021
Latest from Japan. As is usual the press before an Olympics is bizarre. We have bully allegations of the composer of the opening ceremony. Cardboard beds, Heatwave, and possible typhoon! Swimming in poo, and Oyster problem in #Toyko2020 bay. The football starts tomorrow!
— Paul wandering Asia (@LegB4Cricket) July 20, 2021
Tokyo Olympics cops huge public backlash
The resignation of Oyamada is just the latest controversy for the Tokyo Games.
A majority of the population do not want the Games to ahead considering Tokyo entered a state of emergency only days before 1,800 athletes and staff started to arrive in Japan.
Just 33 per cent of people in Japan have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose, among the lowest rate among wealthy countries, according to a Reuters tracker.
he vaccination push has gained steam since last month, but recently ebbed due to supply and logistical snags.
A local poll showed two-thirds of Japanese residents doubted organisers can keep the Games safe during the Covid-19pandemic.
On the weekend, two South African football players became the first athletes inside the Olympic Village to test positive for Covid-19, and other cases connected to the Tokyo Games were also confirmed Sunday.
Tokyo entered a state of emergency only days before 1,800 athletes and staff started to arrive in Japan for the Olympic Games.
with wires
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