Japan Elects Hayashi as New Swimming President -- February 23, 2003

By Hideko Mochizuki

TOKYO, Feb. 23. THE Japanese Swimming Federation held its annual meeting today and selected Toshihiro Hayashi as new president of the federation.

Hironoshin Furuhashi, who stayed in the position for 18 years, or 9 terms, will become president
emeritus.

Hayashi's two-year term officially begins on April 1.

Furuhashi became a national hero and was known as "Fujiyama's flying fish" (Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan) when he set a series of world records in confusion period after World War II. He also served as President of the Japan Olympic Committee from 1990 to 1999.