
Authenticated Text and
Video |
"I was nineteen when my life changed. I was a
runner. I was a swimmer. I was even a cheerleader. Then, just weeks after I
first felt pains in my ankle, I lost my leg to cancer. Of course, it was hard. I
was in despair -- until I returned to university and took up athletics.
"The tsunami hit my hometown. For
six days I did not know if my family was still alive. And, when I did find them,
my personal happiness was nothing compared to the sadness of the nation."
"Only then did I see the true
power of sport: to create new dreams and smiles; to give hope; to bring people
together. More than 200 athletes, Japanese and international, making almost
1,000 visits to the affected area are inspiring more than 50,000 children."
"What we have seen is the impact of the Olympic
values as never before in Japan."
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