With the increasingly controversial Tokyo Summer Olympics right around the corner, Cornelius has stepped down as the composer for the Games' opening ceremony.
His resignation comes in the wake of a social media firestorm that blasted the artist born Keigo Oyamada after old quotes from the artist resurfaced where in the '90s he talked about bullying back when he was student.
In a statement, Cornelius admitted to once bullying "people with disabilities" and said he wanted directly apologize to one particular person "who was hurt."
"I sincerely accept the opinions and advice I have received, express my gratitude, and will keep them in mind for my future actions and thoughts," Oyamada said. "I apologize from the bottom of my heart."
According to Olympics officials, they were not aware of the resurfaced quotes, explaining that Cornelius would still remain as part of the opening ceremony's creative team.
"He is sorry for his past actions and he has said that he wants to act with higher moral standards," Toshiro Muto, the chief executive of the Games, said in a statement. "It's true that the organizing committee was not aware of what Oyamada had done, but we have heard his apology and are hoping that he will continue to contribute to the Tokyo Games."
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday (July 23).
His resignation comes in the wake of a social media firestorm that blasted the artist born Keigo Oyamada after old quotes from the artist resurfaced where in the '90s he talked about bullying back when he was student.
In a statement, Cornelius admitted to once bullying "people with disabilities" and said he wanted directly apologize to one particular person "who was hurt."
"I sincerely accept the opinions and advice I have received, express my gratitude, and will keep them in mind for my future actions and thoughts," Oyamada said. "I apologize from the bottom of my heart."
According to Olympics officials, they were not aware of the resurfaced quotes, explaining that Cornelius would still remain as part of the opening ceremony's creative team.
"He is sorry for his past actions and he has said that he wants to act with higher moral standards," Toshiro Muto, the chief executive of the Games, said in a statement. "It's true that the organizing committee was not aware of what Oyamada had done, but we have heard his apology and are hoping that he will continue to contribute to the Tokyo Games."
The opening ceremony takes place on Friday (July 23).
