Japanese Olympic Team Departs for Canada

Japan sent off its first group of athletes and staff to Canada on Wednesday to start training for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The first group consisted of 17 speed skaters and 11 coaching staff.

Renowned skater Miho Takagi was among the group.

[Miho Takagi, Speed Skater]:
"I want to show the best of my skating to fans because their support has been the biggest energy for me."

15-year-old Takagi is the first junior high school student to make the cut in Japanese speed skating history. She clocked a time of 1 minute and 17 point 77 seconds in the final qualifier last month to represent Japan in Vancouver.

Some athletes were seen wearing flu masks, as they didn’t want to risk catching the H1N1 flu virus.

[Nao Kodaira, Speed Skater]:
"The influenza is a worldwide pandemic, so I'm trying to do what I can do to protect myself."

Lucky fans in the Narita Airport terminal had a chance to see their national athletes before boarding their flight.

[Rie Ayabe, Fan]:
"I wish for them to bring back about 10 gold medals"

The leader of the Japanese Olympic team said that the team aims to win more than 10 medals in Vancouver, beyond its national best in the Winter Olympic Games.

Japan will be sending a total of 188 athletes to Vancouver. They hope to do much better than the single gold medal won by figure skater Shizuka Arakawa in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

The opening ceremonies will be held on February 12th.