(ATR) Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori wants to make sure Japan’s athletes sing loud and proud when they win medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics next month.
At the selection ceremony for Japan’s Rio 2016 team in Tokyo, athletes gathered together with officials of the Japan Olympic Committee, national federations and Tokyo 2020 where Mori asked: "Why doesn’t everyone sing the national anthem?
"JOC’s code of conduct for an athlete representing Japan says athletes should sing the national anthem called Kimigayo in unison at all official functions such as medal ceremonies," Mori said. "Everyone should sing with united hearts during such a moment."
He also chided anyone who may refuse to do so, adding that "athletes who cannot sing the national anthem are not Japan’s representatives".
The Kimigayo could be heard a record number of times this summer as Japan is expected to haul in a record 38 medals at the Games, placing the country in the projected top ten in the Virtual Medal Table calculated by Gracenote.
The Rio Olympics will begin on Aug. 5 and conclude Aug. 21.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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