Tokyo Olympic Games Torch Relay in Greece Japanese first Mizuki Noguchi November 11th 18:10

In March next year, Mizuki Noguchi, the gold medalist of the Athens Olympics Women's Marathon, will be the first Japanese runner of the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay in Greece.

The Tokyo Olympic torch relay will be held in Greece until March 19th after the fire ceremony was held in Olympia, Greece, on March 12, next year.

The organization organizing committee announced the outline on the 11th. Immediately after the fire ceremony, Mizuki Noguchi, a women's marathon gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, was the first runner in Japan to be the second runner in Greece. I decided to serve.

Mr. Noguchi said, “I am thrilled and excited about the story that I thought was over for me. At that time, I had a memory of running at a temperature of 35 degrees. I want to practice and play an important role so that I can run without stumbling. "

At the torch relay in Greece, Tadahiro Nomura, a judo who has decided to transport the torch to Japan with a special transport plane, and Saori Yoshida, a wrestling will also run as runners.

Mr. Nomura won the third consecutive Olympic championship until the Athens Games, and Mr. Yoshida won the third consecutive Olympic championship since the Athens Games.

In addition, HIRO from the popular dance vocal group “EXILE” will supervise the cultural performance of the Japanese side at the takeover ceremony of the torch held in Athens on March 19. The torch arrives in Miyagi Prefecture on March 20 next year, and the torch relay in Japan will start from Fukushima Prefecture on March 26.

Mr. Tadahiro Nomura “I am happy” Mr. Saori Yoshida “I am very honored”

Tadahiro Nomura, who was selected as a torch runner in Greece, said, “Athens is a special place where we won the gold medal after suffering the most in the third Olympics. I want to spend an important time while stepping on the ground in Athens. "

Also, Saori Yoshida, who was also determined to be a torch runner in Greece, commented, “It is a great honor to run in Greece, the holy city of the Olympics. I would like to connect the torch firmly to Tokyo.” Announced.

Mr. HIRO "Tightening thoughts"

HIRO of "EXILE", who was to oversee the cultural performance that the Japanese side will show at the torch ceremony, said, "I am very honored. I will always work with the idea of ​​sending Japanese entertainment to the world. “I ’m going to be tight,” he said.

Also, regarding the performance concept, “I want to fuse Japanese traditional and new cultures. With the power of 140 children and expressing their cheerful figure, smiles, dreams, and hopes, I can connect them to the future. I will do my best together. ”