The organizers of the previous Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games They returned to the media spotlight this Wednesday after learning that one of its executives reportedly received a large sum of money from a sponsor through a consulting firm.
The alleged payment was made by the suit retail firm Aoki to a consultancy owned by Haruyuki Takahashi, 78, a member of the board of directors of the event’s organizing committee, in an operation that could amount to a bribe, local media reported. on Wednesday. such as the Kyodo news agency.
A team from the Tokyo prosecutor’s office is investigating the flow of company funds in the alleged transaction, the value of which will reach several “tens of millions of yen”, according to sources familiar with this thing.
Members of the Tokyo 2020 board of directors are prohibited from accepting money or gifts in connection with their duties.
After the information was published, Aoki released a brief statement in which he said he was aware of the media coverage, although he avoided commenting on it. The news “is not based on any announcement by the company,” he said.
The textile company announced in October 2018 that it had become an official sponsor of the Games, allowing it to use its emblems and sell official products. The company also manages JJ.OO’s official uniforms.
Takahashi joined the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee in June 2014, after the Japanese capital won its bid the previous year.
A former manager of Japan’s largest publishing agency and what was the only marketing agency for the Games, Dentsu, Takahashi was closely associated with the Japanese bid and, according to local media, contributed to its success.
Aoki’s consulting contract with Takahashi’s entity would have been signed before the events took place.
Takahashi told Kyodo that his relationship with Aoki dates back a long time and that the company “worked hard” during the Tokyo Olympic bid, but denied any irregularities and assured that there was no relationship “that could conflict with interests.” . of the organizing committee.”
The news emerged three days after the first anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Games, which took place in 2021, a year late, due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Source: La Verdad
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