Chiharu Igaya, Japan's first-ever medalist at a Winter Olympics, carried the torch for the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, where he spent his childhood.
Born on Kunashiri island, one of Japan's northern territories, Igaya began skiing at the age of 2. When he was 5, he moved to what was then Fujimi village (now part of Maebashi), his father Kunio's hometown.
There, Igaya often skied down Mt. Akagi, using oak that grew on the slopes as poles.
Igaya won a silver medal in the men's alpine ski slalom at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics in Italy in 1956, while studying in the United States.
"The foundation that I'd built blossomed into results," said Igaya, now 89.
Igaya later worked in the United States, making use of his language skills, and was elected to the International Olympic Committee in 1982. For the Turin 2006 Winter Games, which were held when Igaya was an IOC vice president, Igaya proposed lightening the torches from their then weight of about 1.9 kilograms, taking into consideration children who might hold the torches.
Igaya retired from the IOC in 2011, and now serves as an honorary member.
The environment surrounding the Games changed completely with the novel coronavirus pandemic. What has not changed at all is Igaya's belief that the Games will lead to world peace as athletes pit their skills against one another, understand each other and foster friendships.
Even though there will be no spectators from overseas at this year's Games, Igaya is confident that "the power of sports can be conveyed to the world."
Igaya will turn 90 years old in May. He ran his leg -- the final section of the torch relay's sixth day -- while holding up the torch with one hand. The torch now weighs 1.2 kilograms.
After completing his section, Igaya said with a smile, "Perhaps it's a bit lighter now."
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