Second dream Kanazu Tokyo Olympics 93 years old Torchbearer dies Chiba Kimitsu October 8 19:11
While the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to next year due to the effects of the new coronavirus, the oldest man in Chiba Prefecture, who was selected as the second holy fire runner following the 1964 Tokyo Games
, died at the age of 93. It was.
Isao Toriumi, 93, from Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, was selected as the oldest runner in the prefecture at the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay, which was postponed next year.
According to his eldest son, Kazuhiko, Toriumi was a track and field athlete, ran the Hakone Ekiden twice in college, and after becoming a local high school teacher, he taught the track and field club and led him to the national competition for 25 consecutive years. It was.
At the last Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, which was held when Toriumi was 37 years old, he ran the torch relay in recognition of these achievements, and the torch at that time was carefully stored in Toriumi's room.
Since then, he has consistently been involved in athletics, such as setting a Japanese record at Masters athletics, but he once again told the runners, "I want to feel the excitement of the torch relay again. And I want to give courage and energy to the elderly of the same generation." I applied.
After being selected, he continued to build up his physical strength by training his legs, prepared new shoes, and was looking forward to the second sunny stage.
When I heard about the postponement of the Tokyo tournament, he answered "Yes," and he seemed disappointed. After that, he became ill and died of heart failure on the 30th of last month.
Kazuhiko, who was planning to push the wheelchair and run with him, said, "I was always positive and loved athletics and was a hot person like 100 degrees hot water. When the performance came, I felt like I was running alone without riding a wheelchair. I couldn't run the Holy Fire Relay, but everyone supported my father and everyone who knew him, including his family and students, was able to become one. "
Atsushi Suzuki, one of the students of the track and field club who was preparing for support along the road, said, "I was taught how to live rather than technology. I want my eldest son, Kazuhiko, to run the torch relay with a ghost." I was talking.
According to the Chiba Prefectural Olympic and Paralympic Promotion Bureau, a runner to replace Mr. Toriumi is undecided, and will be recommended and decided after consulting with Kimitsu City and the Organizing Committee.
Family members and students want to take over Mr. Toriumi's thoughts in the form of support, even if he cannot run on his behalf.