The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed for one year due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, the host town, was also affected by the cancellation of the preliminary training camp.
Under these circumstances, there were elementary school students who supported overseas players aiming for medals with special feelings.
This is Tento Shinkawa, a sixth grader in Saijo City.
Supporting is Jessica Pilz, the Austrian national team for sports climbing.
The encounter between Mr. Shinkawa and Pilz was an exchange event held in Saijo City three years ago.
Mr. Shinkawa says that he was drawn to the appeal of sports climbing when he saw Pilz, who has one of the best abilities in the world.
The pre-camp was canceled due to the influence of the new corona, but Saijo City has been working with elementary and junior high school students in the city to produce support videos and banners and deliver them to the players in order to support the Austrian national team. ..
At the end of last month, a video message was sent from the representative player to thank Saijo City.
In it, Pilz said with words of gratitude that he had injured his left finger at the last tournament.
On the 4th of this month, when the women's combined competition in which Pilz participated began, Mr. Shinkawa cheered with his family from home.
Mr. Shinkawa said, "I was able to feel that I was going to climb to the end. Even if I was about to get discouraged or give up, I wouldn't give up." I thought it was important to do my best. "