Olympic Torch Relay First Runner: "Nadeshiko Japan" Little League players also selected as runners in Tokyo
The torch relay will take place at charming locations nationwide. In Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture, it will start on Yashima Island overlooking the Seto Ohashi Bridge. In Okinawa Prefecture, it will begin near Shureimon Gate at Shuri Castle. On the second day in Hiroshima Prefecture, it will start from the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine. In Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, it will begin at the "Miracle Pine Tree." In Yamanashi Prefecture, the relay will take place at the fifth station of Mount Fuji. Each location features distinctive spots.
Special relay formats have also been devised, such as a steam locomotive running alongside torchbearers (Mogi Town, Tochigi Prefecture), a Japanese-style swimming relay (Usuki City, Oita Prefecture), a canoe relay (Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture), and a ropeway relay (Yahiko Village, Niigata Prefecture).
During the Torch Relay, the four presenting partners will enhance the excitement by running vehicles featuring their original designs, performing, and distributing cheering merchandise.
At the end of each day's relay, a "Celebration" event will be held in each location. Local organizing committees and the four presenting partners will host stage programs and set up exhibition and experience booths to celebrate the arrival of the flame.
Regarding the approximately 10,000 torchbearers, preliminary notifications of selection have already begun being sent out sequentially from the application sites starting December 12th. Official notifications of selection will be sent out by the Organizing Committee starting on the 25th.
Also on this day, many municipalities along the route began announcing the athletes, celebrities, and other notable figures selected as runners for their respective districts.
For the relay runner announcements, the official ambassadors for the torch relay, the comedy duo Sandwich Man, made an appearance. Representing the runners scheduled to run in Tokyo, they introduced players from the Chofu Little League Little Senior team and the attending members and coach of the "Nadeshiko Japan" team (the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany champions), who were selected as the Grand Start Runners.
The Chofu Little League Little Senior team was chosen for being a powerhouse team boasting the most championships in the history of the All-Japan Tournament. They were also selected for their active community contribution activities, which enhance the sense of unity within the region.
Nadeshiko Japan was chosen because they won the World Cup in July 2011, giving immense courage to Japan after the devastating damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and because they have deep ties to the area, including holding numerous training camps at J-Village, the relay start location.
A player from the Chofu Little League Little Senior team stated their resolve: "We were surprised to be chosen, but we are very proud. We want to run with gratitude for those around us in our hearts."
Former Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki commented, "I'm looking forward to being involved in the torch relay with the World Cup-winning members. I want to run while reminiscing about those days." Former national team members Kozue Ando, Azusa Iwashimizu, and Ayumi Kaihori shared their thoughts on being Grand Start Runners: "It's incredibly joyful that the members from that time can gather and run together," "We want to energize the event as members of the original ONE TEAM," and "It's especially meaningful that J-Village, where we shared both hardships and joys, is the starting point."
Route information for the Olympic Torch Relay can be found on the official website ( https://tokyo2020.org/jp/special/torch/olympic/map/ ).
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