Death of Ms Kiyoko Ono

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ms Kiyoko Ono, former President of Sasakawa Sports Foundation and Vice President of TAFISA-JAPAN, on 13 March 2021, at the age of 85.

As an Olympic gymnast, Ono participated in the Olympic Games in Rome (1960) and in Tokyo (1964), and won the Bronze Medal at the Tokyo Games. Following her retirement as an athlete, she was elected Member of the Upper House in Japan in 1986, where she devoted herself to the promotion of sport and education in Japan until 2004.

In 2003, she was appointed Minister of State at the Koizumi Cabinet. From 1997 to 2017, she held positions as President of Sasakawa Sports Foundation, and Vice President of TAFISA-JAPAN, deeply contributing to the development of both entities.

Among other accolades, Ono received the TAFISA Jürgen Palm Award in 2011 and was awarded the Olympic Order by the IOC in 2016.

TAFISA and the Sasakawa Sports Foundation are extremely grateful for her lifelong dedication to the promotion of the Sport for All Movement in Japan and internationally. 

TAFISA offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to her family and friends.