Beijing 2008 will facilitate friendly exchange

Winning gold will be no easy feat

At the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Japan garnered 16 gold medals, ranking 5th among the competing nations. While this accomplishment would seem to put Japan among the world's sports powers, Mr. Fukuda pointed out that winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games is not an easy task, since the Olympic Games is an arena where the world's greatest athletes compete. Nevertheless, Mr. Fukuda assured us that the Japanese athletes would do their best in Beijing.

Mr. Fukuda said that the Japanese delegation aims at a good performance during the Olympic preliminary competitions, so that Japan can send more qualified athletes to Beijing and increase its chances of winning more gold medals.

Location is key

With a time difference of just one hour between the two countries, Mr. Fukuda believes that Japanese athletes will do better.

Mr. Fukuda explained that when the Games are held in Europe or the Americas, the Japanese athletes must arrive in the Olympic host country ahead of time in order to get used to the new environment and overcome the jetlag. Some athletes have been weakened by the change.

Because of China's close proximity to Japan, and because of the similarities between the two cultures, the Japanese athletes will have an easier time adjusting to their new environment.

Formidable Chinese delegation

China won 32 gold medals in Athens and ranked 2nd. With the 2008 Olympic Games taking place in their home country, Chinese athletes will have many advantages, said Mr. Fukuda.

First, as the host country, China will be able to send more athletes to compete in next year's Games. Chinese athletes will naturally perform better thanks to a supportive home crowd cheering for them.

Secondly, China's performance level in athletics has improved greatly in recent years. While continuing to dominate in its favorite sports, China has begun to diversify and excel in new disciplines. Therefore, said Mr. Fukuda, the Chinese delegation will be formidable next August.

Facilitating contact between Japan and China

The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will pass through the 1998 Winter Olympic host city of Nagano. Mr. Fukuda said that Japanese citizens are very excited about this.

China and Japan, neighboring countries separated only by a narrow stretch of water, have engaged in exchange since ancient times. Next year, when the Olympic Games begin, many Japanese will visit Beijing and China to see the Olympics, and this will bring more friendly exchanges between the two nations.