Japan gets gold for Osaka Olympics
Naomi Osaka of Japan holds the Olympic torch during the
opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
on July 23, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Caribbean Life, JULY 30-AUG. 5, 2021 11
Asia’s Olympic host country of
Japan earned the first gold medal
on opening night for staging a
bold, and awesome ceremony that
spoke volumes about diversity to a
global audience.
The deserved prize was not
ordained however on July 23, the
far east destination whose unique
banner displays a perfectly circular
red sun bordered by white space,
exemplified progressive, thoughtful
and diversity that resonated
with admiration and perhaps
envy.
That amidst restrictions and
challenges posed by the lingering
global pandemic — demonstrators
on their own soil and a
myriad of dissenting voices, Japan
managed to spotlight 206 nations
during the Parade of Nations procession
almost normalized the
usually friendly tribute associated
with the quadrennial sports competitions.
From Micronesia, the continents
of Asia, Africa, South America,
Europe encompassing the
tiniest delegations of only two representatives
from the Caribbean
islands of Dominica and St. Lucia
to the 615 majority America —
brandishing stars and stripes —
cheers, smiles, cellphone cameras
and pride overshadowed the empty
seats disguised and replaced by
greenery.
For the first time a male and
female flagbearer from each country
displayed gender equal prowess
.P
roud wavers from the Caribbean
represented by less than 10
nationals fashioned the hopes of
Grenada, Barbados, the Bahamas,
St. Kitts, St. Vincent, US Virgin
Islands and the British Virgin
Islands.
From the region Jamaica boasted
a cool running crew comprised
of 65 athletes while Trinidad &
Tobago sent 33.
And as impressive the first
glimpse of the united nations,
anticipation heightened for a big
reveal of the chosen individual to
light the flame.
There was much speculation
about who would receive the
high honor. A topical debate pondered
the possibility of traditional
heroes — an elder, Japanese sports
icon etc. Shrouded in secrecy its
unveiling proved a highlight of
the ceremony.
Beginning with a relay of baseball
players, a doctor and nurse
(essential workers), a gold-medal
winning Paralympian passed the
torch to Naomi Osaka, a biracial
Haitian-Japanese tennis champion.
Osaka emerged the chosen one
worthiest over other worthy citizens
from the land of the Rising
Sun.
She is the first tennis player to
ever light an Olympic cauldron,
the first in a gender equal Parade
of Nations and first on so many
levels.
She represented an east, west,
north, south phenomenon.
Recognized by a nation steeped
in traditions of preserving ancient
mores Osaka caused a firestorm
on social media.
Who could have thought it?
Not in the land of Samurai
swordsmen, geisha girls and traditional
customs of women walking
behind their counterpart to show
respect.
Not in a million years, but there
she was, the 23-year-old petite,
biracial champion, sporting braids
in her hair, looking confident as
she stepped up to the pinnacle
inspired by Mount Fuji to blaze a
trail for the gender, biracial individuals,
Japan and the Caribbean.
As she maneuvered the steps
there was a hush from spectating
athletes, first-lady Jill Biden
and the select sparse gathering of
Japanese leaders, officials of the
International Olympic Committee,
goodwill ambassadors, performers
and medical assistants.
When Osaka torched the
giant cauldron, the whole world
cheered.
East, west, north and south.
Catch You On the Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce