Morinari Watanabe

Morinari Watanabe
渡邊守成
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Watanabe in 2024
Born (1959-02-21) 21 February 1959 (age 65)
NationalityJapanese
OccupationBusinessman

Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari, born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique since January 2017.[1] Prior to his election in October 2016, he served as general-secretary of the Japan Gymnastics Association (2009–16) and was on multiple committees with the Japanese Olympic Committee.[2]

Watanabe is the ninth president of the FIG and its first Asian president.[3] In October 2018, the International Olympic Committee elected him as a new member.[4] He was also appointed an executive board member of Tokyo 2020.[5] In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president.[6]

  1. ^ "Watanabe elected as president of International Gymnastics Federation". The Japan Times Online. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  2. ^ "WATANABE Morinari, Japan (JPN)" (PDF). FIG. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  3. ^ Turner, Amanda (19 October 2016). "Morinari Watanabe Elected President of FIG". International Gymnast Magazine Online. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Olympics: World gymnastics chief Watanabe proposed as new IOC member". Kyodo News. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Morinari Watanabe to be Appointed Executive Board Member of Tokyo 2020". aroundtherings.com. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Seven candidates announced for IOC presidency". olympics.com. Retrieved 16 September 2024.