On March 30, local time, the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay entered its sixth day on the 30th, and many torchbearers announced that they would give up the opportunity to participate in the relay, including rugby star Keita Inagaki and former Paralympic swimming gold medalist Rina Akiyama.
According to the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), according to the original plan, Keita Inagaki and Rina Akiyama will participate in the torch relay in Kanagawa Prefecture in June, but Keita Inagaki decided to withdraw because the schedule did not allow it.
Keita Inagaki is a member of the national rugby team and the main player of the Japanese team in the 2019 World Cup.
Rina Akiyama once won a gold medal in swimming at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. It is not clear why she withdrew.
According to reports, the organizing committee of the Kanagawa Prefecture Torch Relay plans to find a new torchbearer to replace the two, and it may also allow other torchbearers to run twice the distance.
It is also reported that two torchbearers or higher universities in Niigata Prefecture also withdrew due to reasons.
Due to the fear of contracting the new crown virus, coupled with the discriminatory remarks made by the former chairman of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee Yoshiro Mori, there are currently nearly 100 torchbearers who have given up the relay, including well-known actors Takako Tokiwa, Toru Watanabe, and singer Hiroshi Itsuki. Shi, Mao Abe, film director Narijima, rugby star Yu Tamura, sumo wrestler Masayo Naoya, etc.
(Producing Li Jiali)
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]