WORLD CHIEF URGES JAPAN TO 'CLEAN UP'
The world judo chief urged Japan Monday to clean up its act after the sport was sullied in its birthplace by scandals including abusive coaching, misuse of funds and sexual harassment
TOKYO, June 10, 2013 (AFP) - The world judo chief urged Japan Monday to clean up its act after the sport was sullied in its birthplace by scandals including abusive coaching, misuse of funds and sexual harassment.
International Judo Federation (IJF) president Marius Vizer told a news conference in Tokyo that Japan's judo authority needed to shape up because he is aiming to raise the sport's profile in the Olympics with reforms.
“The IJF follows very carefully the present situation in Japanese judo,” he said. “The IJF with the All-Japan Judo Federation will do our best to clean up the situation and start with new reforms and new development in Japanese judo.” Japan's judo community was rocked in February when the coach of the national women's team was found to have used a bamboo sword to beat athletes, calling his charges “ugly” and telling them to “die” in the run-up to the London Olympics.
The coach resigned later.In April, judo officials were accused of receiving subsidies for coaches from a government fund although they did not serve as coaches.
Then the Japanese federation said last month it was considering expelling Jiro Fukuda, 76, for life following the revelation that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a female athlete in 2011.
Vizer said the IJF had given the Japanese federation until October 15 to submit a full report on the incidents and that the IJF would take appropriate action against any illegal acts.