is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the

1988 Summer Olympics The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul 1988 ( ko, 서울 1988, Seoul Cheon gubaek palsip-pal), was an international multi-sport event held from 17 September to 2 October ...

, where she gained a bronze medal each for the solo and duet events, and the

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1992, ca, Jocs Olímpics d'estiu de 1992), officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XXV Olimpiada, ca, Jocs de la XXV Olimpíada) and commonly known as ...

. She was the first woman to be Japan's flag-bearer for the

Opening Ceremony An opening ceremony, grand opening, or ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of a newly-constructed location or the start of an event.

Retirement

Since retiring, Mikako Kotani has opened a synchronized swimming school and served on the JOC (

Japanese Olympic Committee The is the National Olympic Committee in Japan for the Olympic Games movement, based in Tokyo, Japan. It is a non-profit organisation that selects teams and raises funds to send Japanese competitors to Olympic events organised by the Internati ...

IOC Athletes' Commission International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission (IOC AC) is a majority elected body that serves as a link between athletes and the IOC. The mission of the IOC AC is to ensure that athletes' viewpoint remains at the heart of the Olympic Movemen ...

, and

Association of National Olympic Committees The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) is an international organization that affiliates the current 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Each year it gathers all its membe ...

. In 1997, she introduced the resolution to promote

Olympic truce The Olympic Truce is a tradition originating from ancient Greece that dates back to 776 BC. A "truce" (Ancient Greek: ékécheiria, meaning "laying down of arms") was announced before and during the Olympic Games to ensure the host city state (El ...

to the

United Nations General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...

. In 2013, she was chosen to present the proposed venue layout for Tokyo's successful bid to host the

2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July. Tokyo was selected as the host city during the ...

. As of September 2017, she is currently a director on the board for the JOC and Olympians Association of Japan. In addition, she is on the executive committee of the World Olympians Association.

References

1966 births Living people Japanese synchronized swimmers Olympic synchronized swimmers of Japan Synchronized swimmers at the 1988 Summer Olympics Synchronized swimmers at the 1992 Summer Olympics Olympic bronze medalists for Japan Olympic medalists in synchronized swimming World Aquatics Championships medalists in synchronised swimming Synchronized swimmers at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships Synchronized swimmers at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships Medalists at the 1988 Summer Olympics {{Japan-swimming-bio-stub

Retirement

See also

References