Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2004

Award Ceremony for the Athens Olympic Team Wednesday, September 1, 2004 Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi conferred certificates of honor to the Japanese Olympic team, which has returned from Athens, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Japanese team performed brilliantly in a wide range of events at the Athens Olympics, setting a new record for Japan's overall medal tally and enthralling the Japanese public. Some 120 athletes were invited to the Prime Minister's Official Residence, including medalists, those who won a prize for a top eight placing and those who achieved their personal bests. Prime Minister Koizumi presented Mr. Tsunekazu Takeda, the Chef de Mission of the Japanese team and President of the Japan Olympic Committee, with a certificate of honor, and gave commemorative gifts to gold medalists and the representatives of each discipline. In his address, Prime Minister Koizumi lauded the athletes for their achievements, saying, "I saw your performances on television, and I was thrilled and moved to tears time and again. I think the majority of the people all over Japan felt the same way as I did."