Torch relay for Tokyo Olympics kicks off its 121-working day journey

By STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer

TOKYO (AP) — The torch relay for the postponed Tokyo Olympics commenced its 121-day journey across Japan on Thursday and is headed toward the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.

The relay started in northeastern Fukushima prefecture, the location that was devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. About 18,000 died in the tragedy,

The initial runner with the torch was Azusa Iwashimizu, a crucial participant in the Japan crew that received the Women’s Earth Cup in 2011.

Wearing a white monitor accommodate, she carried the torch out of the J-Village indoor soccer instruction middle and was surrounded by 14 other members of that 2011 Entire world Cup squad and mentor Norio Sasaki at the rear. They were also decked out in white track suits.

The ceremony was shut to the general public since of the worry of spreading COVID-19 but was streamed are living.

“The torch of Tokyo 2020 will become a bright light for hope for Japanese citizens and citizens in the world and a gentle at the conclusion of the tunnel,” explained Seiko Hashimoto, the president of the local organizing committee and a previous Olympian.

Homare Sawa, the greatest star on the 2011 workforce, missed the ceremony. She is remaining handled for a issue affecting her internal ear and experienced to withdraw from the celebration.

Enthusiasts were explained to to social-distance alongside the roadside as the torch passes, and they were to chorus from loud cheering. Organizers have mentioned they will stop or reroute the relay if crowding becomes a issue for the duration of the four-month parade.

Spectators cooperated in Naraha Town, just down the street from wherever the torch started off its journey. A several hundred men and women stood on the roadside and were securely spread out.

“At first I failed to consider significantly of it,” stated 20-year-old Takumu Kimura. “But when I truly saw it, it felt like: — sure, it is really the Olympics.”

Setsuko Hashimoto, a 63-year-previous nearby resident, was psychological as the torch handed.

“Ten many years in the past there was a nuclear accident so (observing the torch) it felt like I could definitely appear forward to a thing and stay,” she mentioned. “When you develop into my age, this is the last Tokyo Olympics and it truly is here. It was extremely touching.”

Key Minister Yoshihide Suga chimed in from Tokyo with a statement.

“The Olympic torch relay starting from right now is a valuable possibility for the men and women to get a genuine perception of the Olympics and Paralympics that are approaching,” Suga advised reporters.

Organizers verified a little bit of undesirable luck: the flame in the torch was blown out all through 1 leg of the relay. As has occurred in other Olympics, it was re-lit by a back again-up lantern that also carries the flame that was kindled in Greece far more than a 12 months in the past.

Community organizers and the Worldwide Olympic Committee hope the relay will change general public impression in Japan in favor of the Olympics. Sentiments expressed in polls in Japan so significantly are overwhelmingly adverse with about 80% suggesting a different hold off or cancellation.

The relay and the Olympics equally stir worry that the gatherings could spread the virus. There is also opposition to the soaring charge of staging the Olympics, now place officially at $15.4 billion. Many audits suggest it can be twice that significantly and a College of Oxford study states these are the most high priced Olympics on file.

The relay is a significant exam for the impending Olympics with worry among the community that the event could distribute the virus to rural and more isolated parts of the nation. Vaccinations have not been rolled out nonetheless in Japan to the basic public. About 9,000 fatalities in the region have been attributed to COVID-19.

About 10,000 runners are anticipated to just take aspect, with the relay touching Japan’s 47 prefectures.

Immediately after the postponement a year ago, there was early communicate of eliminating the relay to preserve funds. However, that strategy was rapidly dropped with the relay closely sponsored by Coca-Cola and Toyota.

The relay is a prelude to the challenges the Olympics and Paralympics will present with 15,400 athletes getting into Japan, alongside with 1000’s of other officers, judges, VIPs, media, and broadcasters.

Athletes will be saved in a “bubble” like atmosphere in Tokyo and will be minimal to the Athletes Village on Tokyo Bay, the competition venues and schooling regions. Most other people will be outside the bubble and will be retained at a length from the athletes.

Organizers introduced a couple of times back that admirers from overseas will be banned from attending the Olympics and Paralympics. Most volunteers from abroad have also been ruled out.

Organizers are to announce the location capacities in April. Ticket profits for the Olympics was to be $800 million but will be severely minimized by the absence of followers. Japanese governing administration entities will have to make up the shortfall.

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AP video journalist Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

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