TOKYO: Japan sent off its Paris Olympics team on Friday, looking to beat its best-ever gold medal haul from three years ago at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games.

Japan won 27 golds on home soil and is sending around 400 athletes to Paris — its biggest team ever for an overseas Games.

The Tokyo Games were held under strict anti-coronavirus rules, with spectators banned from most venues and street festivities scrapped.

Japan’s Paris team held a ceremony attended by members of the imperial family before moving to a send-off event packed with cheering fans and schoolchildren.

“We had to hold the send-off celebrations online three years ago,” said Japan’s chef de mission, Mitsugi Ogata.

“So I’m really grateful that we were able to have so many people giving us their support today.”

Japan have named two-time world champion fencer Misaki Emura and breakdancer Shigeyuki Nakarai, known as

“Shigekix”, as their flag-bearers.

“This will be the first time that breaking has been at the Olympics and everything is a new challenge,” said Nakarai.

“It’s a great honour to carry the flag.”

AFP