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Send-off Event for the Japanese National Team of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Photograph of the commemorative photograph session with the Japanese National Team
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the send-off event for the Japanese National Team of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games held in Tokyo.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
"The moment Tokyo was announced as the host city of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Buenos Aires last September, I hugged summer Paralympian Ms. Mayumi Narita, who had come with us, and together we rejoiced in our triumph. Just around ten years ago, following her participation in the Paralympics, I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Narita during her visit to the Prime Minister's Office and we discussed a variety of topics. On that occasion, Ms. Narita said, 'I do not count the things I have lost. I only count the things I have gained.' I was inspired by her truly profound words.
I believe it was your very willpower that led you to where you are today.
Everyone in Japan will be cheering for you. I hope that you will all do your best and harness the cheers and passion of the people in Japan to fuel your efforts. I would like to close my words of encouragement by expressing my sincere wishes for your success. I hope you have an outstanding performance. Congratulations on being named to the Japanese National Team."
