Mikako Kotani OLY[1] (小谷 実可子, Kotani Mikako, born 30 August 1966) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics, where she gained a bronze medal each for the solo and duet events, and the 1992 Summer Olympics.[2] She was the first woman to be Japan's flag-bearer for the 1988 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.[3]

Mikako Kotani
Kotani in 2008
Personal information
Native name小谷 実可子, Kotani Mikako
Nationality Japan
Born (1966-08-30) 30 August 1966 (age 58)
Tokyo, Japan
Height1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Weight53 kg (117 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesSynchronised swimming
Medal record
Olympic Games
Synchronised swimming
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul Women's solo
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul Women's duet
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Madrid -Duet
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Madrid -Team
Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth -Duet
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Perth -Solo
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Perth -Team
Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
Gold medal – first place 1985 Tokyo -Duet
Silver medal – second place 1985 Tokyo -Solo
Gold medal – first place 1987 Brisbane -Duet
World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Indianapolis -Team
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Cairo -Duet
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Cairo -Team
Silver medal – second place 1989 Paris -Duet
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Paris -Solo
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Paris -Team

Retirement

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Since retiring, Mikako Kotani has opened a synchronized swimming school and served on the JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee), IOC Athletes' Commission, and Association of National Olympic Committees.[3] In 1997, she introduced the resolution to promote Olympic truce to the United Nations General Assembly.[4] In 2013, she was chosen to present the proposed venue layout for Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

As of September 2017, she is currently a director on the board for the JOC[5] and Olympians Association of Japan.[6] In addition, she is on the executive committee of the World Olympians Association.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "WOA Leadership". World Olympians Association. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  2. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Mikako Kotani". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Mikako Kotani (JPN) 2007 Honor Synchronized Swimmer". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  4. ^ "General Assembly Urges 'Olympic Truce' During Winter Games in Nagano, Japan". Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  5. ^ "JOC Executives". Japanese Olympic Committee. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Olympians Association of Japan List of Board Members". Olympians Association of Japan. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  7. ^ "WOA Leadership". olympians.org. Retrieved 5 September 2017.