‘Olympig’: Olympics Official Resigns Over Comment About Overweight Japanese Entertainer

Tokyo Olympic Games creative director Hiroshi Sasaki resigned Thursday after he made a disparaging comment about a female celebrity’s weight, the Associated Press reported.

Sasaki was responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies, set to begin July 23. During an online staff meeting last year, he suggested that plus-size comedian Naomi Watanabe could perform as an “Olympig,” the AP reported.

Sasaki reportedly proposed an idea that involved Naomi Watanabe coming down from the sky as a pig as part of the Olympic opening ceremony. The idea apparently centered on a play on words, namely the portmanteau “Olympig.” https://t.co/BwrSsFv9sD

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) March 18, 2021

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said the comment was “extremely embarrassing”, the AP reported.

“For Ms. Naomi Watanabe, my idea and comments are a big insult. And it is unforgivable … I offer my deepest regrets and apologize from the depth of my heart to her, and those who may have been offended by this,” Sasaki said, according to the AP.

President of the organizing committee Seiko Hashimoto announced in a news conference Thursday that she accepted his resignation, the AP reported. (RELATED: Florida Offers To Host The Olympics If Japan Backs Out)

Several scandals, high costs and the pandemic have stymied preparation for the games. In addition, support for the event has dropped significantly. Some polls indicate that 80% of Japanese would prefer the games to be postponed or canceled due to record costs and the pandemic, according to the AP.