No.11 London Olympics What Japan Left Behind

(Inagi Newsletter September 15, 2012 issue)

The Olympic Games, a summer sports festival held once every four years, concluded on August 12, 2012, leaving behind various dramas.
I think this is the most difficult region to watch live in Japan due to the time difference, but didn't everyone stay glued to the TV despite being sleep-deprived?
In Inagi City, we regularly support Nippon TV Beleza and Tokyo Verdy. To send off players selected for the women's national soccer team, Iwashimizu, Sakaguchi, and Iwabuchi, as well as Sugimoto selected for the men's national soccer team, we held a Japan National Team Encouragement Event at the Central Cultural Center Hall on July 4, 2012.
Soccer competitions started before the opening ceremony, with both the women's and men's teams winning their first matches and continuing their impressive performance. Although the women lost to their arch-rival, the United States, in the finals, they achieved their first silver medal, while the men, despite missing out on a medal, finished in 4th place, both achieving remarkable results.
The women's volleyball team won a medal for the first time in 28 years, and the men's wrestling team secured a gold medal for the first time in 24 years, showing signs of recovery in sports that had been struggling for a while. Additionally, the men's gymnastics, women's wrestling, and both men's and women's swimming teams delivered brilliant results.
While I am participating, I am still concerned about the number of medals. With 7 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze, totaling 38, we are ranked 11th in the country medal acquisition ranking, but we are 6th in total count.
It has been 100 years since Japan first participated in the modern Olympics, and we have won the most medals in history. Not only the total number of medals but also the total number of 8th place finishes is 80, which is also the highest ever. I believe we can expect further evolution in Japanese sports in the future.
Thank you to all the athletes who gave courage and inspiration to those who watched, you have worked hard!