The claim had been made after pictures of him and Hashimoto emerged showing them hugging and kissing at a party following the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Hashimoto, a Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) member of the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament, had been Japan's Chef de Mission at the Games. 

The pictures were published by Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, who claim in one snapshot that 28-year-old Takahashi, who did not win a medal at Sochi 2014, appears to be turning his face away from Hashimoto as she tries to kiss him during a party described as "alcohol fuelled".

The magazine also quotes an unnamed source as saying that Hashimoto "pounced" on the skater "who eventually resigned and accepted her kisses".

Takahashi, dubbed the "Prince on Ice", was crowned world champion in 2007 and 2012 and claimed an Olympic bronze medal at Vancouver 2010. 

"It was a case of two adults getting a little out of control," Takahashi told Nikkan Sports about the incident which took place at the Athletes' Village in Sochi.

"We'd drunk alcohol and overdid the frolics.

"I regret it but I don't think for one moment it was power harassment or sexual harassment.

"If this invited misunderstanding, I regret it and think I should be careful."

Seiko Hashimoto was the Chef de Mission for Japan at Sochi 2014 and attended a party in the Athletes' Village ©Getty Images



Married mother-of-three Hashimoto, Japan's most influential female sports administrator, also denied any wrongdoing.

"All athletes and officials [in Sochi] had respect and gratitude towards Mr Takahashi and I have no further particular feelings," she said in a statement.

"As athletes and officials have opportunities to socialise with those in foreign teams, they hug and kiss [each other] very naturally."

Hashimoto represented Japan at four Winter Olympic Games and three summer Games in speed skating and cycling, winning a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

She has been a member of the LDP after first being elected to office in 1995 and as well as being head of skating in Japan, she also serves as head of development at the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC).

The incident will no doubt cause embarrassment for the JOC as it continues preparations for Tokyo 2020. 

Speaking at the Summer Youth Olympic Games currently taking place in Nanjing, JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda, said: "I have not talked to her [Hashimoto] yet.

"I want to get a complete handle on the situation before making any decisions."

Preparations for Tokyo 2020 have already been hit by the resignation of Governor of Tokyo Naoki Inose over corruption allegations, while there has also been widespread criticism of the cost of hosting the event and of the design of the planned main stadium.

Hashimoto had been tipped for a more senior role in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Government following a planned Cabinet reshuffle next month to tie in with his pledge of boosting the number of women in senior positions by 2020.

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