Paris Olympics-bound Japanese athletes got together Friday for their delegation's launch ceremony.
The flagbearers for the July 26 opening ceremony, world sabre fencing champion Misaki Emura and breakdancer Shigeyuki "Shigekix" Nakarai, were among the attendees at Tokyo's Yoyogi 2nd Gymnasium, joined by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko.
The Japanese Olympic Committee has abolished the post of team captain to reduce the burden on athletes, with the flagbearers taking on the role of the "face" of the delegation.
"I'll be aware of my responsibility as a representative of the country and fight fair until the end," Emura said.
During the ceremony, Emura and Nakarai received the national flag from Chef de Mission Mitsugi Ogata.
"I believe in the power of sports and try to give my best performance," Nakarai said.
Japan is expected to field more than 400 athletes, marking the country's largest-ever delegation to an overseas Olympics. It has set a target of 20 gold medals, with strength in judo, wrestling and urban sports such as skateboarding.
The ceremony marked the first large assembly of athletes and coaches in some time, as the coronavirus pandemic had prevented such gatherings.
© KYODO
12 Comments
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GuruMick
I'm waiting to see how various nations are greeted by the audience/crowd in the opening ceremony.
Olympic Biz needs a bloody big haircut and a return to the "essence " of sporting events.
20 sports types max. would be a good starting point.
And stop paying all the leeches sucking of the Olympic teat.
Not the sports people....the superannuated class of bludgers.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Participation at any Olympic event has been a dream for athletes in our time. Wishing the Japanese contingent happy times at Paris 2024 Olympic festivities.
Fighto!
Really?
Wait 'til you see the parade of the North Koreans, Chinese and Russians. Ahh...actually, scratch the last one!
robert maes
In true militaristic style of een imperialism nation.
its sport not war
Fighto!
A top 5 finish in the medal table would be fabulous. Top 3 as achieved in Tokyo could be a bit too much an ask.
Patient Zero
Ganbatte, Team Japan. See you out there on the field of competition.
Fighto!
All the very best to these departing athletes - may each and every one of them achieve their PBs in Paris. Hopefully they will all shock the world and bring home an extraordinary haul of medals!
stickman1760
Well, I’m guessing the BBC will focus on British athletes, the CBC on Canadians and ABC, or whatever US channel it is will focus on American athletes. What do you expect?
Saine
I love how the coverage here immediately stops for any sport as soon as the Japanese athlete is eliminated.
sakurasuki
Japan love ceremony, don't forget the main goal, medal!
PTownsend
Best wishes to each of them, may each stay healthy and return to Japan with heads held high.
factchecker
Hope they've rehearsed their ability to cry on queue for the cameras. An NHK broadcast that focuses only on this team wouldn't be the same without it.