(ATR) The International Olympic Committee says Tokyo 2020 needs to find a solution to the restrictive gender practices at Kasumigaseki golf club.
In an exclusive statement to Around the Rings, an IOC spokesperson said the practice of not allowing women to become full members at Kasumigaseki defies the Olympic non-discrimination policy.
"Following confirmation of the situation at the Kasumigaseki Country Club, the IOC has written to the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee to request that a solution be found that would allow female members to be able to access the golf club in the same way as their male counterparts," the statement reads.
While the IOC is disappointed with the current policy at the club, it assured ATR it trusts "a suitable solution will be found".
The general manager of Kasumigaseki golf club Hiroshi Imaizumi told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he would be willing to explain to the IOC why it prevents women from becoming full members of the club, a policy that reportedly also prohibits women from playing on Sunday.
"We have always believed our policy has been very open, so we were caught by surprise," Imaizumi said, referring to criticisms received from local media. "We welcome all female players and we have no intention of creating a gender barrier."
Now that the IOC has requested such a review, Imaizumi will likely be pressured to allow women to become equal members or risk having the Olympic tournament played elsewhere.
The Japan Golf Council has already called for golf at the Tokyo 2020 Games to be played at a venue much closer to Tokyo and the Olympic Village. JGC chairwoman Eiko Oya says it would welcome a gender policy change but the core issue is the distance for athletes.
"We are hoping for a change of venue to somewhere where the players and spectators will not suffer," said Oya.
Kasumigaseki is situated 27 miles (44 kilometers) away from the Olympic Village, causing the JGC to urge a venue change to Wakasu Golf Links, a public course near Tokyo Bay.
Kasumigaseki is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in Japan, founded in 1929 and the host of more major tournaments than any other course in the country.
It was chosen as the golf venue in the Tokyo 2020 bid over Wakasu, largely due to recommendations by the Japan Golf Association. According to the Japan Times, many prominent members of the JGA are also members at the Kasumigaseki golf club.
"Kasumi is an exclusive club that no ordinary people can join and play," Oya said. "It's a club where women are deprived of full membership, which means they cannot join any decision-making process at the club or even cannot play golf on Sunday."
Tokyo 2020 organizers said in a statement they are conducting a review of the venue along with the International Golf Federation.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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