It's been reported that comedian Imoto Ayako and retired athlete Morishita Koichi, who won the silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, have withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay.

The two were scheduled to run through Tottori Prefecture on May 21 and 22. According to the prefecture, there were concerns about people gathering roadside to watch celebrities running in the relay. After discussion with the organizing committee, Imoto had put in her request to withdraw. As for Morishita, there apparently was a conflict in his schedule.