The Number of the applicants

The number of the applicants

The TOCOG has announced that the number of applicants for volunteers was 186,101.

There were 9,350 people who weren't able to complete their application due to system failure, and they can be included. So  the total number is 195,451.

Necessary number of the volunteer is about 80,000.

So, the applicants who can work for the Olympics are;

about one in 2.4 people ..... 40%

Hmm... Only 40%...

The figures of the 2012 London Olympics given by Tim, (Thank you for giving me this info on your comment!) are;
The necessary number of the volunteer: 70,000
The number of the applicants: more than 240,000
People who could proceed to the interview: 86,000


The applicants consist of;

Japanese:63%    Foreign nationals: 37%

I was surprised that so many foreign nationals have applied.
However, according to the IOC, there has been the case that foreign nationals didn't come to the events.
I think it's VERY hard to secure accommodation for people coming from overseas. Even if you could secure it, it's TOO expensive.
I was wondering if I would apply for the 2024 Paris Olympics and possibly for the 2028 LA, but it might not be realistic, considering arranging and paying for accommodation.

By the way, foreign nationals who worked for the 2012 London Olympics as a volunteer for real was under 5%.


Men: 37%    Women: 63%

This was also surprising for me.


by Roles

There are 9 roles and applicants was able to put their 3 choices on their My Page.
The 9 roles and each necessary number are as follow;

Guidance  16,000 - 25,000
Events  15,000 -17,000
Mobility Support  10,000 - 14,000
Personal Support (Attending VIPs etc.) 8,000 - 12,000
Operational Support  8,000 - 10,000
Healthcare  4,000 - 6,000
Technology  2,000 - 4,000
Media  2,000 - 4,000
Ceremonies  1,000 - 2,000
(The details are here.)

I strongly want to support athletes ("athlete first" spirit!)
So, I chose "Events," "Ceremonies" and "Operational Support."

You might think "Operational Support" is a bit far from athletes, and yes, I think so. But it includes working in the Olympic Village so I thought I can help athletes in the village. Even if I can work as the Operational Support, I think the possibility of being assigned as the Village work would be very small though.
But, I imagine the scene that I'm working in the Village!!

Regarding "Events", 15,000 -17,000 is needed, and 108,000 applicants chose it. Oh---.....
Even "Ceremonies", only 1,000 - 2,000 is needed, and 55,000... 55,000! applicants chose it. I knew that "Ceremonies" would have become very popular. It's almost impossible to be assigned this role.
But, I imagine the scene that I'm working at each ceremony too!!


"Imagination is stronger than willpower." (It's not the precise translation.)
(Émile Coué)

"You can realize what you can imagine with actual feeling." (It's not the precise translation.)
(William James)

The application has been closed.

The application for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics volunteer was closed on 21st.
I, of course, have applied.

For the application on the My Page, entering language skills, uniform sizes, volunteer experience etc. and uploading a face photo were required.

CODE
Also, There was a "Code" section.
In my case,
the RWC 2019 organizing committee has gave one code for the people who won the lottery for the volunteer.
So I was able to enter this code.

There seems to be various "code." For example, the employees of the companies which are partners of the Olympics are given a code.
I think that this "partner company code" must be strong! The TOCOG can't eliminate their important partner company's employees.

There are people who have several codes. Hmm... I have only one, but it's at least better than nothing.

THE NEXT STEP
According to the mail from the TOCOG, people who CAN proceed to the next stage will be informed about an interview and orientations between January and July.
Between Janyary and July!?!?! What's a vague and long period!
And, people who CANNOT proceed to the next stage will be informed accordingly on September. September!?!?!?!?!

OK, I guess,
if I can't receive anything by February or at the latest by March, I will consider it as failure.

Two Olympic cauldrons

I wrote before...
After big twists and turns, the design of the Olympic main stadium was decided 3 years ago, but also it was found that the design didn't have the Olympic cauldron!! a big mistake, a big problem!
My article at that time
The Olympics Main Stadium Issue

Three years have already gone by, then finally, something about the Olympic cauldron was decided, and it was announced this Monday.
Two Olympic cauldrons will be set. One is in the stadium and the other is out of the stadium which is not close to the stadium but is near the Olympic village.

The reason why two Olympic cauldrons will be set is obvious.

It is because the design in which there is no place for the Olympic cauldron was selected, needless to say.

So...

Only during the opening and closing ceremonies, it will be set in he field of the stadium.

But...

If it is in the field, of course, some events, such as track and field, can't be held.

So...

When the field is used, the Olympic cauldron is set outside the stadium.
Or, it will be outside all the time other than the ceremonies?


Too much cost again!

But there is one good thing. Even people who don't have a ticket for events in the stadium can watch it, the places around it will be definitely too crowed though.


By the way, in the Rio Olympics, it was also set out of the stadium. The same. But I don't think it was a reason that the Rio Olympic committee forgot securing the place for the Olympic Cauldron. haha.

The Interview Roadshow for RWC volunteer

I attended the Interview Roadshow for the Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Volunteer yesterday.

I thought the interview for volunteer was something like having a group interview and being asked such as motivation, but it was quite different.
There was no opportunity that the participants and the staff talk directly for screening.

1. Check-in

Reception booth

My nameplate

2. Orientation - 30min
The participants were received an explanation about the Rugby World Cup, the activities of the volunteers, etc.

3. Group Work -30min
The participants were divided into a small group which consisted of around 8 people.
Each group was given the name of qualified countries. My group was Argentina.
The participants wore a wristband of their group with country flag design.

My wristband

And, we played a game, which was called a collaborative activity (teamwork).

A staff member was standing by each group with a notepad. Probably they were screening by watching the activity?

4. Admin work(?) and experience contents
- Taking a face photo for an ID card
- Checking uniform sizes - Trial fitting

Considering #3 and #4, I wonder if most of the participants get an offer??

Next step
By the end of this month
Entering information about language skills, uniform sizes, volunteer rolls roles of one's choice, etc. on each MY Page. I've done.
January
Getting an interview result and also a roll role offer.

I hope I can hear good news next month!

Face Recognition System for the Olympics

It was announced that a face recognition system will be used at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It is the first in the history of the Olympics.

The vendor which will provide the system is NEC, which is a Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner.

The system will be used for athletes, officials, staff, volunteers and media which are over 300,000 people, at over 40 venues.
It will not be used for spectators.

It connects an ID card with an IC chip and a face image taken and registered in advance.

(https://dentsu-ho.com)

It is said that people can enter 2.5 times faster, compared with visual confirmation by staff.
But, because it's the first attempt and used for over 300,000 people at over 40 venues at the same time, I anticipate that the system sometimes can't recognize properly, then some people can't enter a venue. Such a scene might be often found here and there.

I wonder if any measures which should be taken in case of a system error has been considered.

Olympic Competition Schedule

The TOCOG has announced the competition schedule.

I heard that sports in which Japan has possibility to get medals are spread evenly from start to finish, which means Japanese people can see Japanese athletes win medals almost everyday.

Here it's the schedule;
https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/sport/olympic-schedule

Directors for the ceremonies have decided.

It has been decided that Mansai Nomura will stage and oversee the entire opening and closing ceremonies of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and the press conference was held yesterday.

His title is "the Chief Executive Creative Director." Too long.

Mansai Nomura is a major Kyogen actor. Kyogen is one of the Japanese old traditional theaters, like Kabuki.

I can say that most of Japanese people have never seen Kyogen, but Mansai Nomura is very famous because he has also appeared in popular movies and TV dramas.

He commented in the press conference that he wants to make the ceremonies be simple and full of Japanese spirit.

The theme is "Requiescat and Recovery."

According to Nomura, it refers not only the Aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami but the 2nd World War, because, in August when the Olympics Games will be held, there are the two atomic-bomb days (Hiroshima 6th, Nagasaki 9th) and the war-end anniversary (15th).

Left: Takashi Yamazaki, a movie director, responsible for the ceremonies of Olympics

Center: Mansai Nomura

Right: Hiroshi Sasaki, a Creative Director, responsible for the ceremonies of Paralympics

(frm: https://tokyo2020.org)

Somehow I have a pretty high expectation for the ceremonies!

And, I was relieved to know that Yasushi Akimoto won't be involved in the ceremonies.

My article about it; Terrible assignment - Yasushi Akimoto

Outline of Olympic Games Ticket

Ticket Price

The TOCOG has announced the outline of Olympics Games ticket.

Needless to say, it's expensive... haha...

The price of the Opening ceremony is 12,000 - 300,000 JPY (108 - 2,709 US$). 300,000 JPY (2,709 US$)!?!?!

The prices of each sport are;
https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/notice/20180720-03.html

I heard that games which are popular among Japanese people and have possibility to get medals tend to be expensive, such as swimming, Gymnastics (Artistic), judo, baseball.
But I'm wondering why Basketball is such expensive? Basketball is not so popular in Japan and not strong at all.
Is it just because NBA players will participate in?

I want to watch swimming and Gymnastics (Artistic) if I can't get a chance to work as a volunteer, both are quite expensive though. And, the opening ceremony is "MUST."
I need to save money for that! haha.


How to Purchase

Notice:
The following information is just for Japan residents.
The TOCOG announced only about domestic sales.
For people living abroad, it just says;
Those living outside of Japan will be able to order their tickets through the National Olympic Committee of their respective country or their authorized ticket reseller. A list of these organisations in each country will be published by next spring on the Tokyo 2020 official website. Ticket prices and the application process will vary from country to country, although the structure will be broadly in line with that for tickets purchased in Japan. 

Distributer
The TOCOG sells directly.
Hmm... regarding Olympic ticket sales, there have been many problems. Did the TOCOG regard not using any reseller as the safest way?

The way to purchase
You should register TOKYO 2020 ID and can buy tickets through the site.
I registered in May. My article about that;
https://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.com/search?q=TOKYO+2020+ID

As usual, it is provided only in Japanese language.

The schedule
The spring of 2019: Olympic tickets will be available
The summer of 2019: Paralympic tickets will be available
The spring of 2020: You will receive the tickets you purchase.

 *It plans to sell tickets through ticket stores in 2020.



As usual, Japan is far from "Globalization."
As well as TOKYO 2020 ID, the TOCOG provided the ticket information site only in Japanese.
Although it is only for domestic residents, domestic residents include many non-Japanese and some of them don't speak Japanese.
How unfriendly and thoughtless and narrow-minded it is!

Win the lottery for volunteer of RWC Japan 2019

As I wrote before, I've applied to be a volunteer for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
My article;
http://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.com/search/label/RWC%202019%20Japan

Because too many people have applied for Tokyo and Kanagawa prefecture volunteers, the lottery was conducted before interviews. It's an extremely low probability of wining the lottery. So I didn't expect to win.

Today was the day for the announcement of the lottery.
I signed in the ”My Page" and... found the word "Wining." Oh----------!!!!!

Of course, it doesn't mean that I was selected as a volunteer. I just got the right to move on to an interview. But I'm SO happy for now.

The interviews for Tokyo volunteers will be conducted in the mid of December.


I wonder how much the application ratio for the 2020 Olympics. The probability to be selected would be much lower?

The summary of the torch relay

The route of the torch relay has decided.

It will start on 26th March 2020 from Fukushima where is the quake and tsunami-stricken region .
And it will go through all the 47 prefectures.

(frm: https://mainichi.jp/english)

The detailed schedule that shows when to come through each prefecture;
https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/torch

The Volunteer Site has opened.

Here it is the special volunteer site.

https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/volunteer/

In the end, there are 9 roles.

- Guidance
- Events
- Mobility Support
- Personal Support
- Operational Support
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Media
- Ceremonies

So far, I'm interested in "Events", "Operational Support" and "Ceremonies."
I want to support athletes and people who help athletes rather than VIPs and spectators.

I don't know why, but any requirement for each role isn't indicated.
I'm wondering if the detailed requirement is not decided yet.


The application process is;

(frm: https://tokyo2020.org/en/special/volunteer)

The acceptance of application will start in the middle of September.

2 years to go!

2 years from today, the opening ceremony will be held.

So many events were held around Japan today.

(frm: https://tokyo2020.org)

The application guideline for volunteers is going to be announced at the end of this month.

The Mascots Official Debut

It's been 5 months since the mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were decided.
My article at the time;
https://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.com/2018/03/tokyo-2020-olympic-mascots-were-unveiled.html


Today, their names were revealed.

(frm: https://tokyo2020.org)

Left: Olympic Mascot MIRAITOWA
MIRAI means "future" and TOWA means "eternity."

Right: Paralympic Mascot SOMEITY
It's a combination of an English word "so mighty" and "someiyoshino" which is representative cherry blossoms of Japan.

Then, the official licensed products of the mascots arrived in stores today.
The Official Online Ship (Japanese site)

The most serious concern for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

In Japan, TV news everyday keep saying "Take precautions against heatstroke!"

Extremely scorching hot humid weather is continuing.


During the week of 9th this month, 9,956 people were taken to the hospital due to heatstroke throughout Japan. Only in Tokyo, 704 people.

On the 18th Wednesday, 2,065 people were taken to the hospital for only one day.
On this day alone, 8 people died of heatstroke.

In Tokyo, 14 people died of heatstroke this month.

The exercise guideline for heatstroke precaution by the Japan Sports Association set on 4 classifications, Safety, Caution, Alert, Heightened Alert, Stop exercise.
Everyday, "Stop exercise" level.

Is it a sane idea to hold the Olympic games during such terrible season?
It's obvious that astonishing number of people would be taken to the hospital and even not a few people might die.


The newspaper of South Korea says;
"It's expected that athletes would play in murderous extreme heat in the Tokyo Olympics"

Yes, it's definitely murderous.

Working as a volunteer is something like a brush with death?

Swift passage of time

When I first got interested in the World football was the 1998 World Cup France.
20 years have already passed since them.


In this world cup, there are many young players who played outstandingly, such as Harry Kane (England) and Kylian Mbappé (France).

When they were kids, they met football players who were their idols, like many other boys.

Mbappé boy and his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

(frm: http://www.kosovapress.com)

Kane boy attended the football school run by David Beckham.

Oh, Beckham is very young!

(frm: http://www.leparisien.fr)

Surprisingly, the girl with her hair in braids is now kane's wife!!!!!

For Kane, Beckham is his idol when he was a kid, but for me, Beckham is the player who played until quite recently.
Even Ronaldo is still an active player.

Those kids are now active professional players.
Time flies and I feel the passage of time.



Just before the final game, two people carried the World Cup trophy as presenters.

Trophy in the Louis Vuitton case

(frm: https://www.fashionsnap.com)

The TV reporter said the men was the legend of German football, but I thought I didn't know of him, and so I thought he was older generation.

However, after finishing the trophy present event, I got to know that he was Philipp Lahm! I know him very well since he first attended the World Cup, which was the 2006 in Germany.

At that time, I chose my own awards and selected him as the New Face Award. Haha. He was 22 years old.
My article in another blog.
https://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-general-comment-on-2006-world-cup.html

That young player became the captain of the German national team after that, and won the championship at the previous World Cup in Brazil, as many people know.

The 22-year-old young guy is now considered as the legend and looks quite old (haha).
Time flies and I feel the passage of time again.

Orgiastic French people

French President Macron got too excited!

At the final game, there were Russian President Putin, Croatian President Kitarović, President of IOC Bach... etc. VIPs were in the VIP room, however...

French President Macron was too excited and showed this performance.
Haha! That's not the place to stand, President Macron! Funny!

(frm: https://twilab.org)

Croatian President Kitarović was not outdone!

(frm: https://courrier.jp)

The French players burst into the press conference.

After winning the championship, the manager of the French team Deschamps was attending the press conference.

Then, the French players burst into and started to spray champagne to Deschamps!

(frm: https://www.huffingtonpost.jp)

That's not the place to stand either! Haha.

(frm: https://www.footballchannel.jp)

There isn't any more common sense and order there. Haha!


French people rampaged through the town.

After France won the championship, the Champs-Elysees in France became a big deal.

Too many people!

(frm: http://www.chunichi.co.jp)

Too----- many people!!

(frm: https://omoganews.com)

It would happen in any countries.
But, some people rampaged, vandalized and looted stores,,,,,

(frm: https://www.bbc.com)

(frm: https://www.asahi.com)

I saw one store (or restaurant?) which was destroyed and looted on the TV news.
It was terribly destroyed. I don't think it's possible for the store to reopen.

What I saw on the TV was much worse than the bellow.

(frm: http://jin115.com)

President Macron, you have much more important things than being too excited.
Your people are...

The 2018 World Cup has finished.

(frm: https://www.theguardian.com)

Golden Ball Award: Luka Modric (Croatia)

Young Player Award: Kylian Mbappe (France)

I think nobody complains those selection.

left: Modric without smile, Right: Mbappe

(frm: http://saudigazette.com.sa)

Modric never showed his smile during the ceremony. The ceremony was just after the final he lost.

I recalled the similar scene.

Messi won the Golden Ball at the last World Cup in Brazil. He never showed his smile either because of the same reason, it was just after the final he lost.

My article about that;

https://mytokyoolympics.blogspot.com/2014/07/germany-won-championship.html

Golden Glove Award: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Many goalkeepers showed great performance in this World Cup. And I think I said the same thing at the last World Cup.

And, yes, Courtois was great and deserved the award.

Coutois and the Belgium players with the bronze medal

(frm: https://www.eurosport.com)

Golden Boot Award: Harry Kane (England) - 6 goals

I'm really happy that such a great player exists in the England team.

I have a high expectations of this young guy and the young England team!

Fair Play Trophy: Spain

I don't know well about this award, but it seems to be given to a team which has fewer yellow/red cards and fouls.

The Final: Croatia vs. France

I wanted Croatia to win, but France won the championship. The final was 4 - 2.

France was stable.

Croatia went  into extra time three games in a row before the final, so it was said that they would change some players for the final. However, they didn't. They chose to play the final with their best members.

Although Croatia players were worn out, they played very well.
France's first goal was Croatia's own goal. Their second goal was PK, because the ball accidentally hit a Croatian player's hand.
Given those facts, I think it can safely be said that Croatia and France played evenly.



Griezmann is definitely the pillar of the France team and led the squad very well.

Griezmann with the trophy and his daughter he dotes on

(frm: https://www.deccanherald.com)

Congratulations, France!!

(frm: https://newsclick.in)

The 3rd-place match: England vs. Belgium

0 - 2.
Ah---, I have to write about England’s defeat two times in a row...

Just 3 days after the draining duel with Croatia, England obviously was exhausted.
Also, one article said that England would play with the 2nd squad due to injuries to key players and mental (?) problems.
For details;
https://sivpost.com/media-england-match-for-third-place-in-the-2018-world-cup-will-play-with-the-second-squad-news-zik-ua/7976/

I think it was a complete defeat. Belgium was strong as everyone knows.

One article I read the other day said that British people expected the England team to show great performance at the next World Cup Qatar. I understand they think so because the England team is very young.
However, they did very well even this time!

I'm looking forward to see the England team win the championship at the 2022 World Cup Qatar!!

England squad

(frm: https://www.soccer-king.jp)

And, congratulations Belgium for the 3rd place!

(frm: https://www.irishtimes.com)

The Semifinals: England vs. Croatia

England was defeated... 1 -2 in extra time. Real pity...

It was a draining duel. Especially Croatia went into extra time 3 games in a row. So they must have been worn out. Even Modrić, who is the captain and the pillar of the Croatia team, botched a ball several times. However, they were playing strongly.

Modrić playing in the game vs. England

(frm: http://www.goal.com/jp)

Croatia advanced to the semifinals for the first time in 20 years.
I remember very well when Croatia placed the 3rd at the 1998 World Cup France.
At that time, Boban, who was the ace and the captain, led the team. Croatia was very good team and defeated Japan in the Group league, it was the Japan's first world cup.

This time, Modrić is leading the team and Croatia reached the final for the first time ever. Congratulations!

The Semifinals: France vs. Belgium

Belgium was really a strong team, but France won 1 -0.

According to some article, some players of Belgium criticized France's too defensive playing style.

Anyway, how can Mbappé run so fast?
France is able to be too offensive because they have too fast counter attack by Mbappé?


In 4 hours from now, another semifinals England vs. Croatia will starts!
It will be 3am in Japan. I'm going to take a catnap and then, I'll watch it!

England made the Final Four!!

England advanced to the semifinals!!

I've been cheering for England for a long time and it's the first time that England reached the semifinals since I started cheering for them.

Actually, I hardly knew the players of the current England national team.
After the players who had been the pillars of the England team, such as Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, etc. retired from the national team, I had been having the end-of-an-era feeling.

And! the new era has come!

The current national team is very young. And the pillar and ace is Harry Kane. Although he is still 24 years old, he is the captain.

(frm: http://www.goal.com)

He currently scored most. He can aim at the Golden Boot, or even the Golden Ball?!

But, he is not the only talented player in the England team. In fact, although he didn't get a goal in the last game, vs. Sweden, England won. Especially, the GREAT performance of the goalkeeper Jordan Pickford wowed me! He was elected as the Man of the Match, needless to say.

(frm: https://www.express.co.uk)

The team members celebrating Pickford's great saving

(frm: https://www.soccer-king.jp)

Their next game, the semifinals, will be vs. Croatia. Go for it!!

The Final Eight

England reached the Final Eight. Good, good!

The strongest favorite is, I guess, Belgium.

Young players have become an adult??

I didn't mention him in my previous article about the Denmark team, but the ace of the Denmark national team now is definitely Christian Eriksensen.

(frm: https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com)

One TV program introduced him couple days ago and it also talked about him playing in the 2010 World Cup South Africa.
When I saw its video, I was so--- surprised!

This is Eriksen with Denmark’s coach Morten Olsen at the 2010 World Cup.

(frm: https://www.shoot.co.uk)

I remember this young guy very well!!! Probably he was 18 years old and the youngest player in the 2010 World Cup.

He is him?!?!?! Different at all!!

I said in my previous article that I first didn't recognize Kjaer.
After 8 years, these talented young guys came back to World Cup becoming an adult? haha.

Denmark

I always cheer for England and Denmark.

Denmark couldn't attend the previous World Cup Brasil. The last time they attended was the 2010 World Cup South Africa.

At that time, I took notice of one talented Danish defender, Simon Kjaer.
He was still 21 years old.
Here is my article about him on my old blog.
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2010/06/sleeping-until-game-denmark-vs-japan.html

I also saw the Denmark team at the EURO 2012.
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2012/06/euro-2012-wow-wow-wow-denmark-almost.html


Then, he came back to the World Cup becoming Denmark's captain!

(frm: http://www.cameroonintelligencereport.com)

Actually I first didn't recognize him as Kjaer. No wonder. The last time, he was 21-year-old very young guy.

Although Denmark advanced to the Knockout Stage, they were defeated by Croatia.
It was a very good game, 1 - 1, on PK 3 - 4.

The defense of Denmark is great and Kjaer is the pillar of that. And, the greatest thing of their solid defense is its goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel.

(frm: https://www.theintelligencer.com)

I was very surprised to hear that his father, Peter Schmeichel was one of the best Goalkeepers of the 20th century and he was also playing in the Denmark national team!

Big-name stars have already left.

As I wrote in the previous article, Spain was defeated, and Iniesta's World Cup ended.
Spanish Spar Star, Iniesta announced his retirement from the Spain's national team.

Iniesta, Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).....
Big-name starts have left the World Cup Russia. They and Germany team must have aimed the Champion, but in the end, they even were not able to reach the final eight.



Actually Iniesta will move to a Japanese team and play in the Japan's league "J league,” with INCREDIBLE EXCEPTIONAL pay.
I'm wondering why he decided to play in such a low level league, but Japanese football fans are very excited that one of the top players in the world will come to Japan!

Russia is doing a great job!

Although the FIFA ranking of Russia is the 70th, they got through the Group Stage.
It worked out as planned, didn't it?

In the FIFA World Cup, the host nation must advance to the Knockout Stage. Otherwise, the event would be considered as failure. In fact, there hasn't been a host nation which wasn't able to get through the Group Stage.
The draw is always fixed. The Group A this time was quite easy group.

It's true for the 2002 World Cup Korea / Japan.
Japan was in a easy group and able to advance to the Knockout Stage.


So, I wasn't surprised that Russia won the Group Stage.
However...

Russia defeated Spain in the Knockout Stage!!
1 - 1 and Russia won on PK 4 - 3.

The most significant scene, if you ask me, was this;

(frm: https://www.asahi.com)

Russia's Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved Spain's 5th shot on PK.
He jumped to the right, but the kicker shot to the middle. Oops! However, although his body was already on the right side, he saved the shot with his left foot. Amazing!!

He was chosen as Man of the Match.

Messi and Mbappé

France vs. Argentina.
It is not the final match. It's the first game of the Knockout Stage. haha.

France won by 4 - 3. Messi's World Cup Russia finished, I wanted to see his performance more though.

Messi being stunned after the game

(frm: https://article.auone.jp)

Although he has been getting many kinds of titles and awards, he can't get only the World Cup championship.

There is no doubt that he is the best of the best in the football history.
He is 31 years old. I wonder if this is the last World Cup for him.

An incredibly talented player might leave the World Cup, and at the same time, another incredibly talented player has appeared.
It's Mbappé who is France's forward.

Although he is still 19 hears old, he got No. 10 of the France's national team.
And, yes, he was surprisingly great in the game vs. Argentina.

Messi and Mbappé after the game

(frm: http://www.soccerdigestweb.com)

The Knockout Stage

As usual, I'm cheering for England and Denmark! Go for it!!

One of the worst games - Japan team

Japan unexpectedly moved on the Round 16.
However, their last game in the Group H, vs Poland was the most terrible game I have ever seen.

They needed to win the game to proceed to the Round 16, but they were 1 goal behind.
Another game in the Group H, Columbia vs. Senegal, Senegal was also 1 goal behind Columbia. In this point, Columbia was the 1st place and Senegal and Japan were... the points, the goal difference, and even scored goals were the same. The direct match was a draw. Japan exceeded on only the fair play points which is the number of yellow and red cards.

Then, Japan stopped to try to win. I can say Japan stopped playing soccer. They tried hard not to get a yellow card and just kicked a ball each other in the small space to buy time.
Buying time is often seen in football games, but I have never seen this bad. It continued about 10 minutes! For this 10 minutes, booing became bigger and bigger. I also never heard such big and long booing.
In the end, although the game wasn't over, one of the Poland players sit on the ground because Japan never crossed over a halfway line.

In the highest football event, I didn't want to see such a terrible scene, and it was played by Japan...

Shame on you, Japan!

Needs top referees for the top world games

Watching the games in the Group Stage, I felt that judges by some referees were strange.

Especially, Portugal vs. Morocco in the Group B, I thought that the referee obviously judged in favor of Portugal and was very unfair.

I found that my thought was not wrong.
After the game, the Morocco's head coach Hervé Renard said in the press conference, "Morocco had been victim to a total injustice," "When you look at the facts in the Portugal game, it's totally unfair."

The World Cup is one of the top level world events. They should use top level referees.

By the way, Morocco's head coach Hervé Renard became a bit of hop topic in Japan as a good-looking middle age. haha.

49-year-old Morocco coach, Hervé Renard

(frm: https://citizen.co.za)

The defending champion Germany was knocked out!

Surprisingly! Germany which won the previous World Cup Brazil wasn't able to move on the Round of 16 and left from the World Cup Russia.

They lost their first game, vs. Mexico. Many people must have been surprised, but I think they still believed that Germany would proceed to the Round of 16.
In fact, they won the next game, vs. Sweden.

However, the 3rd game, vs. Korea, they lost even 2 points (goals?) in the additional time!!!!

Oh my gosh! German players putting their head in their hands

(frm: https://guardian.ng)

By the way, Korea's guts always surprise me.

World Cup Russia has started.

The World Cup Russia started on 14th June and the Group Stage has finished. The results are;

(frm: https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2018)

Applying to be a volunteer for RWC Japan 2019

The Rugby World Cup 2019 will be held in Japan and it is recruiting volunteers.

I've applied for it.
The next step is interviews which will be held from this autumn to winter. Screening will not be conducted.
However... it seems to be unlikely to move on the interview phase, because...

The games will take place in 12 venues around Japan and you should choose which venue(s) you want to work when you apply to be a volunteer.
I've chose Tokyo, of course.
I've received the email and it said that applicants for Tokyo and Yokohama substantially exceeded the recruitment numbers. The deadline of recruiting is 18th July. Probably the number of applicants for the Tokyo venue is going to increase.
In this case, not everybody can proceed to the interviews and people who can proceed to it will be chosen by a lottery.

It's a crying shame.

Volunteer Roles

The TOCOG has listed the volunteer activities referring to the London and Rio Olympics, and it's as follows;
(the information is from the Volunteer Strategy by TOCOG.)

Guidance at venues

Doping control

Driver

Workforce registration

Uniform distribution

Media support

Language services

Support for teams

Logistic support

Support for rental services

Support for sustainability and recycling

Support for issue of IDs

Event operation support

Medical support

Speaking of Olympic Volunteers, I come up with "Guidance at venues" and "Event operation support." Hmm... there are many other kind of volunteers.

I'm interested in "Support for teams."
The explanation of this role is that "Support the teams that come from around the world. Start preparations prior to the teams entering the Olympic Village to facilitate a comfortable stay."
Athletes are always ignored in Olympic games, and many kinds of interests for someone have been having a priority, though athletes should come first.
I want to support athletes.
Also, I have wanted to get inside the Olympics Village!

But I guess high skills of languages athletes speaks are required for this role.
There are too many people who speak English and my French is not enough at all.

Tokyo 2020 ID

TOCOG has started kind of service for connecting Tokyo 2020 with everybody directly... at least such explanation is written on the Tokyo 2020 ID web page. I just found this website the other day.
https://id.tokyo2020.jp

The headline is;
"ID registration" is the first step toward Tokyo 2020

It also says;
It starts first with an e-mail newsletter, and is going to deliver information of ticket, events, goods, volunteer etc.

However, it doesn't seem to be fully active. Is it in the trial phase?
I registered it a week ago, but I haven't receive any newsletter yet. Also, the ID My Page is cheap and what you can do on the My Page for now is just selecting sports you are interested in. I guess you would receive some kind of information based on your sports preference?

I think that it is going to become enriched? I hope so.

The problem is that there is only a Japanese site, no English site.
The typical Japanese way which is far from "Globalization."

Volunteer Recruitment Schedule

The volunteer recruitment for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this year.

(All the following information is from the site of the TOCOG: The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games)

The schedule is;

2018 --------
in late July
The guideline for applicants is announced.

in late September
Application starts.

2019 --------
February - July
Screening, Intervies

October
Training starts.

2020 --------
March
Volunteers are informed their role.

April
Training based on each role starts.

May
Uniforms etc. are provided.

June
Training based on each venue starts.


~~~~~~ Application requirement (under consideration) ~~~~~~
1. 18 years old and above as of April 1, 2020
2. Able to attend training sessions
3. Japanese national, or foreign national with permission to stay Japan
4. Able to volunteer 10 or more days
and so on.

Regarding #4, I wonder if volunteers can choose what days they work.
If all volunteers choose work days as they like, it might go out of control? But I think most volunteers including me have their jobs, and holidays / days off they can take are limited. If we can choose which days we work, it would be ideal for volunteers.

Regarding #3 - permission to stay Japan, just a tourist visa is OK?

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Mascots were unveiled.

The mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were decided.

(Left: Olympic mascot, Right: Paralympic mascot)

(from https://www.theguardian.com)

<Mascot Profiles> 
(This information is from The Tokyo Organising Committee website.)
Left: Olympic Mascot (blue)
The Olympic Mascot is a character that embodies both old tradition and new innovation.The Mascot has an old-fashioned charm that reflects tradition and also has a high-tech, cutting edge vibe. It has strong sense of justice, and is very athletic. The Mascot has a special power allowing it to move any where instantaneously.
Right: Paralympic Mascot (pink)
The Paralympic Mascot is a cool character with cherry tactile sense and supernatural power. The Mascot is usually calm, however, it gets very powerful when needed. It has a dignified inner strength and a kind heart that loves nature. It can talk with stones and the wind. It can also move things by just looking at them.
Relationship between the two mascots
The Olympic Mascot and Paralympic Mascot have opposite personalities. However, they respect each other and they are very good friends. They both have a great spirit of hospitality. They always try their best to cheer and encourage everyone.


<The Process of the Selection>
Last December, the organising committee revealed the shortlist of three sets of designs from a total of 2,042 entries.

<The shortlist>

(from https://www.paralympic.org)

*The detail process of narrowing 2,042 entries down to 3 is here;

Schoolchildren from 16,769 elementary schools voted and "A" was selected by a landslide.
I thought that each student would vote, but I found today that it was voted by the class, one class had one vote.

If you were, which mascots would you have voted for?


<Their Names>
The mascots haven't had their names yet. Those will be decided this summer by the screening panel and the designer. Oh, it will not ask the public.


------------------------------
By the way, the designer will get only 1,000,000 JPY, about 9,360 US dollars. No more than 9,360 US dollars?! as was the case with the Olympic logos. IThe logs and the mascots will be used for the global event!
The organising committee never uses money for something they should use for. They always spend much money for something related to their own interests.

OAR: Olympic Athlete from Russia

Russia was disqualified from the PyeongChang Olympics because of their systematic state-sponsored doping.

Only Russian athletes who were cleared their name were allowed to participate in this Olympics, not as a representative Russia, but as an OAR with the Olympic flag instead of the national flag, with the Olympic Hymn instead of the national anthem.

Although Russia got 29 medals, 11 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze, at the Sochi Olympics, OAR resulted in 17 medals. Gold was only 2.

One of the Gold medals was gotten by Figure Skater Alina Zagitova. The same Russian skater Evgenia Medvedeva won the Silver medal which was a close second. They left other skaters far behind.
Their performance was great, amazing, outstanding! Overwhelming victory.

Surprisingly, they are still very young, Alina is 15 and Evgenia is 18.

They must have wanted to see the national flag and hear the national anthem at the medal ceremony.

 (Left: Silver medalist Evgenia Medvedeva, Right: Gold medalist Alina Zagitova)

(from https://www.jiji.com)

The other gold medal was gotten by the Men's Ice Hockey team.
The final (vs. Germany) was very very exciting. It was an extra-time triumph.

They sang the national anthem that was not allowed while the Olympic Hymn was played at the medal ceremony.
The IOC mentioned that they understand that the OAR team was too excited because they got the gold medal under special circumstances. Which means they would show leniency? I hope so.

(The OAR Ice Hockey team at the medal ceremony

under the Olympic flag instead of the national flag)

(from http://www.sankei.com)

The IOC announced on 28th that they would lift Russia's suspension.


The problem was "systematic state-sponsored doping."
I was wondering why only Russia was disqualified. China is?

Amazing scenes in the PyeongChang Olympics

Simen Hegstad Krueger (Norway)

In the Men's 30km Skiathlon, he fell down just after starting, and he was running on the tail, 68th --- the last place at the point. Additionally his stick was broken.
However, he overtook 67 athletes, which means he finished in first place --- the Gold medal!! I can't believe that!!!

(from http://www.zimbio.com)

The PyeongChang is his first Olympics and he got 3 medals, tow Gold and one Silver.


Ester Ledecka (Czech Republic)

Although she is a snowboarder, she also attended the Ladies' Alpine Super-G with borrowed skis, and she had never finished better than 19th in a World Cup.
I didn't know but they ski in order from upper ranking skiers to bottom in the Alpine. (Other competitions, such as snowboarding and ski-jumping, are usually opposite, aren't they?)
Over 40 athletes attended the Ladies' Alpine Super-G and when 20 athletes finised, an announcer said that the Gold medalist was decided, though more than 20 athletes hadn't skied yet.
However, something miracle happened. Ester resulted in faster time! She won the Gold medal!
Just after her finish, people were very surprised. But the person who was surprised most was herself.

(Ester stunned at her great result just her finish

and asking, "How did that happen?")

(from http://olympics.nbcsports.com)

She also won the gold medal in the Ladies' Snowboarding Parallel Giant Slalom
that is her specialty.

By the way, she showed up at the press conference of the Alpine Super-G with her goggles still on, because she wore no makeup. Haha. Funny. I think she really didn't expected to attend the press conference of the Alpine Super-G. She appeared the press conference of the Snowboarding Parallel Giant Slalom without her goggles, with makeup!


Norway Men's Curling team

Their colorful uniform was one of the hot topics.
It seems that their colorful uniform has been famous for some time, but I didn't know and saw them for the first time. It's said that they prepared 11 kinds of pants for this Olympics. No less than 11 kinds!!

(from www.nbcolympics.com)

(from http://www.showbizbalkan.com)

On the 14th, Valentine Day, their pants were heart-print!

(from www.abc.net.au)