Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay's First Runners Repeatedly Withdraw... Difficulty in Finding Candidates

Most Candidates Active Overseas
Travel Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Cited as Reason

Kawashumi Nahomi
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Ahead of the torch relay for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled for the 25th, the Olympic Organizing Committee is facing difficulties in finding candidates due to a series of withdrawals by the candidates.

On the 16th, Kyodo News reported that torch relay candidates, including Kawasumi Nahomi, announced their withdrawal the day before. Including Kawasumi Nahomi, a total of four athletes have given up on being the first torchbearer so far.

Previously, the torchbearers were decided to be players from the Japan women's soccer team 'Nadeshiko Japan,' who won the 2011 Women's World Cup. Kyodo News explained that this was because, amid the severe damage Japan suffered from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the women's national team's World Cup victory brought hope to the people.

However, most of the candidates are currently active overseas, and due to entry and exit restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these candidates are giving up on being torchbearers.

Kawasumi, mentioned as a torch relay candidate, explained the reason for giving up being the first torchbearer through Twitter, stating, "The COVID-19 pandemic has not yet subsided."

Accordingly, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee is reportedly searching for the first torchbearer among the remaining athletes.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee officially announced the day before that the torch relay event, which is scheduled to start at the soccer facility 'J-Village' in Fukushima Prefecture, will be held without general spectators. The committee explained that considering the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the number of attendees at the torch relay opening ceremony has been significantly reduced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.