Masaji Kiyokawa

Masaji Kiyokawa, born on February 11, 1913, in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, was a distinguished Japanese swimmer and sports administrator. He made his mark in the world of competitive swimming, particularly as a backstroke specialist, and achieved remarkable success at the Olympic Games.

At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, Kiyokawa showcased his exceptional talent by winning the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke event. His teammates, Toshio Irie and Kentaro Kawatsu, secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively, highlighting the strength of the Japanese swimming team. Kiyokawa continued to excel, earning a bronze medal in the same event at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and setting a world record in the 400-meter backstroke during his career.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Kiyokawa played a significant role in sports administration. In 1948, he became a director of the Japan Swimming Federation and later served as a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1975 to 1989, where he held the position of vice chairman from 1979 to 1983. His tenure was marked by his critical stance on the extravagant spending by cities bidding for the Olympics, particularly during Nagoya's bid for the 1988 Summer Olympics against Seoul.

Kiyokawa was also the CEO of Kanematsu Corp., a general trading company, from 1976 until his passing. He was vocal about the political pressures surrounding the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, opposing the Japanese government's decision to boycott the event due to U.S. influence. Masaji Kiyokawa passed away from pancreatic cancer on April 13, 1999, leaving behind a legacy in both sports and business.