- Kicking off activities prior to the start of the summer olympics in Tokyo, the traditional olympic torch relay has begun.
- Starting in Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Fukushima, the torch will be carried by Japanese athletes through all of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
- Nearly 10,000 torchbearers will participate, including some skiing, being dragged behind a horse or even using centuries-old Japanese swimming techniques.
TOKYO, Japan: Kicking off activities prior to the start of the summer olympics in Tokyo, the traditional olympic torch relay has begun.
Starting in Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Fukushima, the torch will be carried by Japanese athletes through all of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Nearly 10,000 torchbearers will participate, including some skiing, being dragged behind a horse or even using centuries-old Japanese swimming techniques.
By May, the torch will have reached the far southern island prefecture of Okinawa, then return to the mainland, continuing to Hokkaido and finishing in Tokyo.
Olympic officials hope the traveling torch will create enthusiasm for the games, which has been missing among the coronavirus-weary public.
The torch will also pass before famed Mt Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak, and Hiroshima Prefecture’s Miyajima Island, home to the Itsukushima Shrine and its floating gate. In all, the torch will travel through 859 municipalities.
The flame was first lit in Tokyo on July 9 at the Komazawa Olympic Park, as athletes started down the route that will cover the entire country.
Due to the pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed last year.
