Mikako Kotani, an Olympic bronze medalist in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics, has been appointed sports director of the 2020 Tokyo Games, the organizing committee announced on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old will succeed Koji Murofushi on Thursday after the 2004 Olympic and 2011 world hammer champion was named this month by the government as commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency.

Kotani will act as the organizing committee's liaison with the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations.