Seiko HASHIMOTO

Within twelve years, Seiko Hashimoto took part in seven Olympics, competing in both speed skating and track cycling. She appeared destined to compete in the Olympics: born just before the Tokyo Games, her father named her after the Olympic flame (seika). As a skater, Hashimoto could medal in both all-around and sprint competitions: she won a bronze in the 1989 World Sprint Championships, and medalled in both the 1990 and 1991 World All-Around Championships. She completed her medal collection by winning bronze at the 1992 Albertville Games (1500 m). In the summer months, Seiko Hashimoto switched from skating to cycling. Although her results in that sport were less remarkable, she still competed in three Olympics. At the time of her last Olympic appearance, Hashimoto had already embarked on a new career, having been elected to the House of Councillors of the Japanese parliament in 1995. In 2008, she was made vice-minister of foreign affairs in the cabinet of prime minister Taro Aso, himself a former Olympian. Seiko Hashimoto also became head of the Japanese Skating Federation in 2006.