Corona Eruption Olympic Torch Runners are July 20th at 18:50

The Tokyo Olympics were postponed due to the new coronavirus, but originally the torch relay was held in Tokyo this month, and the opening ceremony was scheduled four days later. Against this backdrop, the people who have been selected as torchbearers are renewing their desire to climb over the corona and carry the torch, while being affected by the spread of infection.

The second runner...

Yoshihiro Endo, a former junior high school teacher in Ome City, Tokyo (75), was also the second runner this time, as a torchbearer in the 1964 competition.

The experience of 56 years ago when I was a college student became irreplaceable in my subsequent life, I was able to pass on to the children as a teacher, and it is said that I was able to raise students at the national level in the track and field club. ..

Mr. Endo cherished the torch at that time and said, "There were a lot of people along the road, and they shook the small flag and called out to me." Be a teacher and share your memories with the children. I was able to do it, and it became an asset.”

On the 12th of this month, when Mr. Endo was scheduled to run the torch relay, the students and colleagues from the teacher's days gathered for a rehearsal one year later. Colleagues waving a small flag along the road to support him, and Mr. Endo ran through with a strong footstep.

Mr. Endo wants to convey that even if the Olympics are postponed for one year, he can overcome the corona and run. This is a message for children who are not going to school because they are currently supporting school social workers.

Mr. Endo said, "My life is long and I don't need to go to school for a year or two. I'll catch up if I try, so I want to show that I'll do my best and encourage me."

The 90-year-old runner...

Some 90-year-old runners are preparing to say "I can't lose to Corona", even though I am in a difficult situation due to the influence of Corona.

Kiyoka Umei (90), who runs a 67-year-old Chinese restaurant in Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, has decided to run in Meguro-ku. In 1964, I just borrowed 10 million yen from the bank to operate the store, so I could not afford to enjoy it, but this time I was waiting for the day to be involved as a torchbearer.

However, the situation changed drastically due to the spread of infection, not only the postponement of the tournament, but also the stores were temporarily closed, and the sales fell from March to May by about 14 million yen from the same period of the previous year, and it was in a difficult situation. It has been.

Mr. Umei said, "I wonder if the number of infected people will decrease, and I am worried because it will rise again and again. I wonder if it is such a pain that I can not see the future. But I must not lose to Corona here." To do.

I'm not worried, but I'm continuing my training, envisioning that I'll run a year later. Since I was 91 years old and I fell home at home in November of last year and injured my hip bone, I am training my leg and arm muscles to run with a torch.

Umei-san wants to convey his strong feeling that he will not lose to corona by showing him how to overcome these difficulties. Mr. Umei said, "I can't crush the store I've built so hard. I can't lose to Corona. Some people say that I can't hold it next year, but I believe it will be possible by then." , I want to continue training and work hard.”