RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged Japan’s athletes to help make Tokyo 2020 the best ever Olympics on Sunday, August 21 (Monday, August 22 in Manila) as he met the country’s medalists from the Rio Games.
(READ: ‘Marvelous’ Rio flames out as Japan takes the baton)
Abe posed for pictures and donned a Japanese team jacket as he met a group of 28 athletes, including champion wrestler Risako Kawai and Japan’s silver medal-winning 4x100m men’s relay team.
“The Japanese government will strive hard so you can participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics so you will be in your best condition, and work hard so it will be the best Olympics ever,” Abe said at Japan House in Rio.
(VIRAL: Japanese PM Abe pops out as Super Mario in Rio Olympics closing)
Japan finished in sixth place with 12 gold medals, its best haul since 2004 but shy of its all-time record of 16 Olympic titles.
“Please share your efforts on how you overcame your challenges. Please share your experiences that only you who participated in the Olympics can share,” Abe said.
“Your news will encourage the Japanese people who are striving hard to achieve their dreams. I’m sure your news will be a great encouragement for our case in the 2020 Olympics.” – Rappler.com
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