Many Japanese athletes competing in the Tokyo Olympics entered the athletes village in Harumi, Tokyo, on Sunday, five days before the opening of the Games.
Among the competitors were Japan national team gymnasts, who held a press conference remotely on Sunday.
"I find it strange that the athletes village is in Tokyo, unlike the past three times [in which I participated]," said four-time Olympian Kohei Uchimura, who is eyeing a gold medal in the horizontal bar. "I'll try to do everything in the same way as usual and keep myself together to do my best."
The men's gymnastics team is aiming for a gold medal in two consecutive Olympic Games.
"I think I'll be competing in many events in the team final," said 19-year-old Daiki Hashimoto enthusiastically. "I'll check my techniques and routines so that I can play my part well."
The women's gymnastics team is led by Mai Murakami.
"I'm excited now and want to compete as soon as possible," Murakami said. "The best scenario will be that I can finish [my part in] the Games without any regret."
Gymnastics events will commence on Saturday and continue through Aug. 3, when the finals of several events, including the men's horizontal bar, will take place.
If Uchimura gets through the qualifiers, there will be some time before the final. Men's team head Hisashi Mizutori revealed that they will use the National Training Center in Kita Ward, Tokyo, to prepare Uchimura for the final stage.
Japan's national badminton team members also spoke remotely with the media on Sunday to mark their entry to the athletes village.
"I think the Games are being held thanks to the efforts of many people," said Kento Momota, who is ranked No. 1 in the world and is competing in his first Olympics. "I couldn't have made it here on my own, so I'll play with a feeling of gratitude."
Nozomi Okuhara won the bronze medal in women's singles at the Rio Olympic Games.
"The one-year postponement of the Tokyo Games gave me some precious time," Okuhara said. "I used that time to add something extra to my game and hope I can sufficiently convey it."
National team members were scheduled to start official practice on Monday at the venues of their respective events to rev up before competitions begin on Saturday.
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