- Title: Japan’s 2011 women’s soccer champions to begin Tokyo 2020 torch relay
- Date: 17th December 2019
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (DECEMBER 17, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** MEMBERS OF 'NADESHIKO' JAPAN WOMEN'S 2011 SOCCER WORLD CUP WINNING TEAM ARRIVING AT EVENT / THEY WILL BE THE FIRST TORCH BEARERS DURING THE JAPAN LEG OF TOKYO 2020 TORCH RELAY FORMER SOCCER PLAYER AZUSA IWASHIMIZU ARRIVING NADESHIKO MEMBERS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS IWASHIMIZU AND FORMER SOCCER PLAYER KOZUE ANDO STANDING EVENT IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FORMER NADESHIKO JAPAN WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER AND FIRST TORCHBEARER IN JAPAN, KOZUE ANDO, SAYING: "In the very beginning, when I heard I would be the first runner and torchbearer I was very, very surprised. Then, being with all the other World Cup winning members, we will be able to do something together, so I am looking forward to it." EVENT IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) FORMER NADESHIKO JAPAN WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER AND TORCHBEARER, AZUSA IWASHIMIZU, SAYING: "Yes, in March I plan on giving birth but that is too early for the baby to run. I would like to run carrying my baby. But first of all, I would like to concentrate on giving birth safely." TORCHBEARER LOGO VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF CHOFU LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM, WHO WILL BE TORCHBEARERS DURING RELAY MEMBERS POSING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) CHOFU LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM CAPTAIN, DAIKI KOBARI, SAYING: "When we were chosen, we were first surprised then (knowing) we will represent Japan and run that segment makes us very, very proud." PITCHER KIYOSHI TSUMUR WALKING TO FRONT AND BEING ASKED TO PITCH TSUMUR SHOWING PRACTICE PITCH EVENT IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 31st December 2019 09:39
- Keywords: Japan women's soccer team Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Torch relay
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001BAD6SSF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Members of the Japanese soccer team that won the 2011 Women's World Cup will start the Japan leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay, organisers announced on Tuesday (December 17).
The announcement was made as organisers unveiled more details of the route and who will be among the approximately 10,000 people who carry the Olympic flame as it tours all of Japan's 47 prefectures ahead of the Games opening ceremony on July.
The 'Nadeshiko' hold a special place in the hearts of the Japanese people as their World Cup victory in Germany came just months after the devastating 2011 tsunami and earthquake.
With Tokyo 2020 being billed by organisers as the 'reconstruction Olympics', and the torch relay starting in Fukushima, the selection of coach Norio Sasaki and his players to begin the relay on March 26 comes as little surprise.
One Nadeshiko star, defender Azusa Iwashimizu, is expecting to give birth in March but hopes she will be able to take her new child with her on the relay.
The Olympic flame is scheduled to be lit, as per tradition, in Greece on March 12 before arriving in Japan, at Matsushima Airbase in Miyagi prefecture, on March 20.
After a five-day tour of the areas most affected by the 2011 disaster, the torch relay will begin from the J-Village in Fukushima on March 26.
(Production: Jack Tarrant) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
