almost 4 years ago

Olympics opening ceremony composer quits over past bullying

A composer for SLOTXO the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony said on Monday (Jul 19) he would step down following an outcry over old interviews in which he described bullying disabled schoolmates.

The experimental musician Keigo Oyamada, known as Cornelius, is at the centre of the latest scandal to hit the virus-postponed Games, just four days before they kick off.

His departure follows that of several key Tokyo 2020 officials, including former chief organiser Yoshiro Mori who stepped down over sexist comments.

"I have offered my resignation to organisers," Oyamada, who is among the composers for the music for Friday's opening ceremony, said in a statement posted on Twitter.

"By sincerely accepting the suggestions and opinions given by many people, I want to reflect on my conduct and thoughts from now on. I truly apologise," he said.

"I have become painfully aware that accepting the offer of my musical participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics lacked consideration to a lot of people."

After news of his involvement in the music for the ceremony began to circulate online, interviews from the mid-1990s re-emerged in which Oyamada discussed, without apparent remorse, his bullying of schoolmates with handicaps.