Watching the news, and seeing the people in Japan enthused about the decision made me miss home- miss Tokyo.
It also made me intrigued by the power of sport to inspire- which was mentioned by Paralympic long jumper Mami Sato, whose home town (Kessennuma, Miyagi) was devastated by the tsunami. She mentioned how many athletes who visited the affected areas brought smiles and hope to the children affected during March 11th, and how this made her realize the potential that lies in sport.
Her comment made me recall back to the Women's World Cup in 2011, when the Japanese women's team, Nadeshiko, inspired our nation. A nation devastated by the March 11th disaster. I clearly remember that was the first time since March 11th when I felt I could truly smile and cheer from deep inside :) That was such an inspiring moment, and a moment that brought smiles and hope to the people in Tohoku, and all throughout Japan.
The 11th of this month will mark 2 and a half years since the earthquake and tsunami struck Northeastern Japan. Even though I go through the radio exercises (Oraho no Taiso) in Tohoku dialect to keep the people in Northeast Japan close at heart, I sometimes feel I have started to drift away- even though I do not want to forget.
I hope that with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in mind and in the future, the power of sport to inspire will in some way have a positive impact on the recovery process. And in 7 years, let us hope that Tokyo will host a summer games that everyone will treasure and be proud of.
