Arab News Japan

Japan’s Ambassador to Lebanon OKUBO Takeshi received three of the six Lebanese athletes qualified for the Tokyo Olympics on July 13 at his residence.

The three athletes included: Ray Bassil (Shooting), Noureddine Hadid (Athletics Track and Field) and Gabriella Doueihy (Swimming.)

Takeshi expressed his wish of their excellence at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The team of athletes were accompanied by Vartene Ohanian, Minister of Youth and Sports; Pierre Jalkh, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC); Hassan Rustom, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee; and Mazen Ramadan, Head of Delegation to Tokyo.

President Jalkh commemorated the gathering, stating that their goal was not just to win a medal, but also to show the best image of Lebanon and to leverage the Tokyo Olympics—where gender equal representation is achieved—in promoting the equality.

Minister of Youth and Sports Ohanian expressed her appreciation for how the athletes had been advocating good imagery of Lebanon, believing their participation would bring in a sense of joy to the country.

Ambassador Takeshi commended the athletes for their tireless commitment during the extraordinary circumstances due to a series of crisis and expressed that their participation would stand as a beacon of hope to Lebanon.

The ambassador also wished this event would stand as an opportunity for the humanity to unite and rebuild self-confidence in solidarity. At the end, he affirmed once again that Japan stands in solidarity with Lebanon and extended his wishes of luck for the Lebanese athletes, referring to them as “true Ambassadors of Lebanon.”