Koike, the first woman to hold the position as Governor of the Japanese capital following her election in 2016, offered the 24-year-old Ethiopian - who won in 2 hours 4min 48sec – her congratulations as she placed the winner's medal around his neck and shook his hand.

But after posing for a photo with Legese, Koike stepped back towards the rear of the podium as another presenter came forward to place a crown of laurels on his head.

At that point, Koike,  perhaps feeling the chill of the unseasonably cold and rainy weather - the temperature was around six degrees Celsius during the race - slipped her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

Traditional Japanese etiquette dictates that this is considered an extremely casual posture, which some have seen as being disrespectful to Legese.

Even before the social media backlash, Koike was asked about her hands-in-pockets conduct by reporters following the awards ceremony, and responded: "I apologise. 

"That was rude of me."

Angry remarks left on Twitter included "Get your hands out of your pockets" and "So it's cold. Deal with it".

"No common sense on her part," added another.

"If your hands are too cold to leave outside your pockets, then wear gloves."

Tokyo is preparing to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

"How can we expect her to show sufficient hospitality to athletes during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?" one comment said.