Thirteen Japanese students from the earthquake-ravaged regions of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi, at the invitation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are here at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games to soak in the atmosphere and support their compatriots.
Led by seven-time Olympian Seiko HASHIMOTO (JPN), the 13 to 15-year-olds, all of whom are winter sports enthusiasts, visited Olympiaworld Innsbruck on the first day of competition.
"It feels great to come here. It is a good experience and I will try to use this experience for life," Kai IGARASHI, a skier himself, said.
The group had much to cheer after speed skater Toshihiro KAKUI (JPN) took the Bronze medal in the Men's 500 m Speed Skating competition on Saturday.
"I am really excited to watch this kind of world-class competition," Moe MISHIMA said. "It encourages me to work harder to reach the same level."
Only 13, MISHIMA’s infectious smile conceals a devastating past 10 months. The budding speed skater lost two members of her family to the March 2011 tragedy.
The earthquake and subsequent tsunami waves left more than 15,800 people dead, and the country continues to manage the resultant nuclear accidents.
MISHIMA is still living in temporary housing today, but her optimism is an inspiration to everyone.
"Sport is my life, and it gives me the encouragement and spirit to go forward," she said.
The trip to Innsbruck 2012 is one of several initiatives proposed by the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia in the hope of bringing some comfort to the Japanese.
Previously, for instance, the United States women’s soccer team was flown in for an informal game with children from the affected areas.
Toru KOBAYASHI (JPN), a Japanese Olympic Committee official following the group, said, "They are still in the process of recovery, but we want them to understand many people support them, not just in terms of [monetary] donations, but simply to say hello or ask if they are okay."
"When people see they are from Japan, they often wish them well."
HASHIMOTO, who won a Bronze medal in Speed Skating at the Albertville 1992 Olympic Winter Games, sees sports and the Olympic movement as a force to spur the kids on to a better future.
"The goal of coming here is to see the world and find the courage to stand up to difficulties. Sports can do that," HASHIMOTO said.
"Many of them have a hard time forgetting the disaster. It is good for them to see people competing at the top level, and understand how they got there. Working hard and keeping at it are values they need in their own lives at the moment. They shouldn't stop doing their sports, but through sports see the positive side of life again."
IGARASHI is the perfect example. The Fukushima native revealed that the time he has to hone his skills has significantly reduced since last year's disaster, but as a result he puts even more effort into his training.
Iwate's Momoi SUZUKI added: "Sports allows me to interact with many people from all over the world. That’s a very beautiful thing."
IOC Young Reporter Tan Thiam Peng
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