Running for his family

Takayuki Ueno's pure white running shoes that he prepared for the torch relay are seen next to the shoes of his deceased children that were discovered in the wreckage of the earthquake that claimed their lives. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Due to the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the anticipated torch relay has also been delayed.

After losing not only both his parents but also his 8-year-old daughter Erika and his 3-year-old son Kotaro in the Great East Japan Earthquake, Takayuki Ueno, 47, was greatly looking forward to running with the flame while wearing a smile to put the spirits of his lost loved ones at ease.

A resident of Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, he wanted to run for his children, who loved to run. "I hope that a chance like this will come again," Ueno said.

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