Former Japan PM Abe gets Olympics' highest honor
The Olympic Order is given to those whom the IOC believes have given particularly distinguished contributions to the Olympic movement.
During his time as prime minister, Abe was all but synonymous with Tokyo 2020, heavily involved in the winning bid in 2013 and dressing up as video game character Mario during the closing ceremony of the Rio Games three years later.
He also announced the Games would be postponed until July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
