Hi all, having enjoyed reading the contents here for a few years, I've finally muster the courage to join u guys (am wary of toxicity on social media). I know this is late but I want to share my thots on the last torchbearer for Tokyo Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 is a special Olympics because it is held in exceptionable times, in the midst of a pandemic and under widespread unhappiness and protests by the Japanese public. Under such unusual circumstances, I would expect the last torchbearer to be an exceptional athlete and human being – Yuzu. In line with the Olympic’s message of solidarity, peace and resilience, concept of “Moving Forward” (recovering from the pandemic), Yuzu has so much more to offer to the world as an individual, on top of an outstanding and inspirational athlete.
In 2011, as a 16-year-old high school student, he experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. He survived this major catastrophe and went on to win his first Olympic gold medal. Fast forward to 2021, he is a two-time Olympic champion, with a long list of other competitive career achievements and accolades, philanthropist, graduate of Japan’s Waseda University.
Currently, many countries are experiencing xx number of waves due to the Delta variant, many lives are thrown into chaos with lockdowns and restrictions, protests, loss of jobs/lives, school closures, etc. Recently, China and parts of Europe are experiencing flooding.
Similarly, Yuzu has been affected by earthquakes in Japan while trying his best to live responsibly amidst the pandemic, keeping his asthma, a chronic disease at bay and chasing his childhood dream of landing a 4A. His life story is relatable to many of us.
I know it’s an unpopular opinion to get Yuzu involved in this Olympic, but I can’t think of any other Japanese athlete that is more inspirational than him. I was hoping that by putting him in the spotlight and sharing his life story , he can be a light, bringing hope and healing to many more outside the FS community.
