Japan has formed a team of athletes to compete in the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, which will take place in Italy next month.
An inauguration ceremony was held in Chiba Prefecture, just east of Tokyo, on Sunday. Athletes who had been selected to represent the country at the Games took part. Crown Prince and Princess Akishino also attended.
Figure skater Sakamoto Kaori served as a flagbearer in place of speed skater Morishige Wataru, who will take the role at the Olympics. Morishige was absent from the ceremony as he was abroad.
Sakamoto seeks to win a medal in the women's singles at the second straight Winter Games following her bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Sakamoto gave a speech on behalf of the team. She said she will do everything she can for the contest while taking advantage of her dislike of losing.
Sakamoto noted that it will be difficult to meet her compatriot athletes in person during the Olympics because competition venues are spread across a wide area.
But she said she will try to boost their morale by posting cheerful and pleasant comments on a platform designed to allow the athletes to communicate with each other.
Sakamoto promised that the team members will demonstrate energetic and lively performances as well as their smiles during the Games.
Crown Prince Akishino also delivered an address during the ceremony. He said he hopes the athletes will promote international friendship by deepening their exchanges with people from around the world through sports.
Later in the day at the same venue, the athletes took part in a send-off event, which brought together about 6,000 fans and others.
After a performance by a local high school brass band, children from across the country gathered in front of the athletes, giving them words of encouragement.
The opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Olympics is set for February 6 and the closing ceremony for February 22. A total of 116 events across eight sports are scheduled, including ski mountaineering, which will make its Olympic debut.

Quiz 1:
Where will the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games take place?
A. Japan
B. Italy
C. Beijing
D. Chiba Prefecture

Quiz 2:
Why was speed skater Morishige Wataru unable to serve as a flagbearer at the inauguration ceremony?
A. He was injured.
B. He preferred another athlete to take the role.
C. He was abroad.
D. He had a scheduling conflict.

Quiz 3:
What new sport will make its Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina Games?
A. Ski mountaineering
B. Figure Skating
C. Speed Skating
D. Brass Band Performance



[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: C
Quiz 3: A