On January 18th, a “Sending-Off Party for Athletes in the Olympics & Paralympics” was held in support of Waseda University students and alumni who will be competing in the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The party took place at the plaza in front of the statue of school founder Shigenobu Okuma. In response to applause from their fellow students, the athletes made strong statements such as “I will compete with pride for the glory of Waseda.” 5 students and 2 alumni (*as of January 18th) will compete in the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
The sending-off party featured attendance by 3 Olympic athletes: Ms. Yui Sakai (4th Year Student at the School of Sport Sciences, Short Track Speed Skating), Ms. Biba Sakurai (2nd Year Student at the School of Sport Sciences, Short Track Speed Skating), and Mr. Shingo Doi (2006 Graduate of the School of Human Sciences, Speed Skating). The athletes received encouragement from Paralympic athlete Ms. Mami Sato (2004 graduate from the School of Commerce; 6th place finisher in the Women’s Long Jump at the 2008 Beijing Olympics). All of the athletes joined together with more than 100 fellow students for a rousing chorus of the school song and school cheering songs.
The athletes reaffirmed their resolve and were sent off by songs such as “Konpeki-no-Sora (Azure Sky),” “Waseda-no-Eiko (The Glory of Waseda),” and “Miyako-no-Seihoku (Northwest of City).” Each of the athletes vowed to give their best performance in Vancouver. “I am looking to capture a medal in the relay race,” predicted Ms. Sakai. Ms. Sakurai expressed her joy by saying “I am very happy to be able to compete on a global stage as a student of Waseda.” Mr. Doi showed his gratitude by saying “I have been preparing to compete in the Olympics since I was 3 years old, a period of 23 years. The support of countless people will be in my heart when I compete.” The Winter Olympics will begin on February 12th, and the Paralympics will begin on March 12th.
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