Prime Minister Mori Extends a Warm Welcome Home for Olympic Athletes (3 October 2000)

The Japanese team returned from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which had ended on 1st October, to a warm welcome home from the Prime Minister of Japan. On 3rd October, Prime Minister Mori invited the medallists and athletes who had made excellent achievements in Sydney (placegetters and those who had improved upon their "personal bests") to the Official Residence of the Prime Minister and honored them. The five gold medallists(Miss Naoko Takahashi, women's marathon; Mr. Kosei Inoue, men's judo half-heavyweight 100kg; Mr. Makoto Takimoto, men's judo half-middleweight 81kg; Mr. Tadahiro Nomura, men's judo extra lightweight 60kg; and Miss Ryoko Tamura, women's judo extra lightweight 48kg) were handed silver cups by the Prime Minister. Souvenirs(silver photo stands) were also given to the invited athletes. After the ceremony the young athletes enjoyed jovial chat with Prime Minister Mori. At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Japanese team won five gold medals, eight silver medals, and five bronze medals.

Click on the images to see a larger version.

Photos: by courtesy of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Public Relations Office

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