Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� April, 2002

Prime Minister Koizumi Presents Commemorative Gifts to Athletes of the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Salt Lake City Tuesday, April 16, 2002 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi invited the medallists and athletes who made excellent achievements at the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City to the Prime Minister's Official Residence and presented them with commemorative gifts. Forty athletes from the Japanese Olympic Team attended the awards ceremony, including Mr. Hiroyasu Shimizu, who won the silver medal in the men's speed skating 500m event, Mr. Masahiko Harada, Mr. Kazuyoshi Funaki, Mr. Hideharu Miyahira and Mr. Hiroki Yamada, who came in fifth place in the ski jumping team large hill event, Ms. Aiko Uemura, who finished in sixth place in the freestyle skiing women's mogul event at the Olympics as well as Ms. Kuniko Obinata, who won the bronze medal in the women's giant slalom and slalom in alpine skiing events at the Paralympics. Prime Minister Koizumi handed a commemorative silver photograph stand to Mr. Hiroyasu Shimizu and other athletes representing different categories, stating, "I was thrilled and moved as I watched your performance on television." The Prime Minister praised the athlete's performance, saying, "I have great admiration for your dedicating such a long time for one moment of glory."