Hosts launch large delegation
TOKYO: The Japanese Olympic Committee held a launch ceremony for the host nation’s Tokyo 2020 delegation yesterday, with the majority of the staff and a record-high 582 athletes participating online amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Japan’s team captain, sprinter Ryota Yamagata, and vice-captain, table tennis player Kasumi Ishikawa, were joined by one of Japan’s flagbearers, wrestler Yui Susaki, and chef de mission Tsuyoshi Fukui at the ceremony in the capital.
The Games are scheduled to start on July 23 and end on Aug 8.
“I take pride in being selected to represent Japan for the Tokyo Olympics held in our country, and will head to the games with a sense of awareness and responsibility,” Yamagata said.
Japan’s previous largest delegation, in 1964, included 355 athletes.
Concerns continue to shroud the Games, postponed from last summer amid the pandemic, with Tokyo among the areas under a quasi-state of emergency.
“With hosting the Games under question during the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve always been thinking about what we can do, and what is the meaning of sports,” Yamagata said.
“What we can do now is to approach our competitions sincerely and give our best. I believe in the power of sport and pledge to fight through with all I have as a member of Team Japan.”
Meanwhile, the Tokyo metropolitan government said yesterday it will take the Olympic torch relay off public roads in the second half of the 15-day leg passing through central districts of the capital due to a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
With the decision, the Tokyo relay leg, set to begin on Friday, will be held without roadside spectators in almost all areas except small islands.
Also, the organising committee said it has decided to ask the general public not to gather along the roadside to watch the Olympic marathon and race walk events in Sapporo between Aug 5 and Aug 8.