The first time x2 for Japanese in Olympics

In the first day of the London Olympics, following Hiroaki Hiraoka I mentioned in the previous article, two Japanese players got medals.

Kosuke Hagino won a bronze medal in the men's 400-meter individual swimming medley.
It's the first time that a Japanese swimmer get a medal in a individual swimming medley! Above all, he is still 17 years old!

Kosume Hagino with his fist in the air

By the way, Michael Phelps seems to be in very bad condition. He missed a medal and ended up in the fourth place. What happened with him?

Disappointed Michale Phelps

Next, Hiromi Miyake won a silver medal in women's 48-kilogram weightlifting.
It's the first time that a Japanese woman get a medal in weightlifting.

Hiromi Miyake lifting MUCH more heavier weight than her body weight

By the way, his father was a bronze medallist in weightlifting at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
And, I didn't know but her uncle got two gold medals and one silver medal in weightlifting at the Olympics.

Japanese first medal in the London Olymoics

Men's Judo - 60kg, a Japanese guy, Hiroaki Hiraoka won a silver medal, which is the Japanese first medal in the London Olympics.

He aimed at only a gold medal, and Japanese people expected him to get a gold medal, so he couldn't hide his shock.

Disappointed Hiroaki Hiraoka gives an interview

Getting a silver medal is really really great achievement, isn't it?

I saw a person who showed incredibly terrible behavior.
In the consolation match, an Armenian, Hovhannes Davtyan was being very exhausted. So he tied his obi (belt) loosely and whenever it came untied, he tried taking as much time as possible to retie it. Many times. Also, whenever a refree stoped the game, he lay down and slowed to stand up.
Hard to believe!! At least Japanese judo players never do such abject thing!

Of course, there were many booing in the competition site.

Judo put premium on spirit that technique. Learn the spirit first! The Armenian Judo federation doesn't know what judo is?
Shame on you!!


On the other hand, his opponent, a Frenchman, Sofiane Milous was commended for his refreshing by a commentator.
Although Hovhannes Davtyan showed such terrible behavior over and over again during the match, Sofiane Milous never showed any angry or upset look. He appeared to just concentrate on the match.

So I rooted for Sofiane Milous and he defeated Hovhannes Davtyan. Goody!

Unfortunately, he lost in the bronze medal match and couldn't get a medal. But he is still 24 years old. He is a promising young player.

The London Olympics has started.

Finally it has started.

I've always thought I should go to see an Olympics opening ceremony. And I pledged to go see the London Olympics opening ceremony when the Vancouver Olympics was held two years ago.

My article at that time
http://sandfriend.blogspot.jp/2010/04/im-going-to-see-opening-ceremony-of.html

I thought the same thing even four years ago when the Beijing Olympics.

http://sandfriend.blogspot.jp/2008/08/evaluation-of-beijing-olympics-by-other.html

However, I'm here in Japan now. haha...

Hopefully, Tokyo will be selected the host country for the 2020 Olympics and I will go!

One of the most impressed parts was the national anthem by the deaf and hard of hearing children.

It may be the greatest moment of a boy's life.

According to an article, a photo booth was set up in a shopping center in front of the Olympics center in the UK, and a surprise was prepared.

When people are taking pictures in the booth, a soccer player David Beckham pops his face round the corner and ask "Can I jump in?"

Everybody was VE----RY surprised. I realized that David Beckham is really the hero for all British.

The following video shows how they are surprised when they saw David. What impressed me the most was that a boy bust into tears!

The following article says about more about the boy. Cute!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2177896/London-2012-Surprise-young-football-fan-poses-Adidas-picture-shocked-appearance-David-Beckham.html

The London Olympics Games is starting soon!

Exercising an emotional muscle "Gratitude"

It is often said that "gratitude" is very important for relationship in many kind of self-help books. I try to keep it mind but often forget.

I found an article, which says that  if you want to be successful, you need to feel more gratitude, and you can exercise your sense of gratitude like a muscle.

The article is here;

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/gratitude-true-secret-to-success.html


It seems to be how to develop positive thinking rather than how to develop gratitude.

Anyway, I try doing it.

The situation of orphans in Russia

I saw one article aobut Russian orphans. It showed their facial expressions, the difference between their facial expressions shortly after being taken care of their foster parents and ones several years after being in those family.


http://bigpicture.ru/?p=281292#more-281292
(Russian site)

The circumstance of the most orphans' homes is very bad. Most important of all, being loved is definitely necessary for children.



I've known that the situation of orphans' homes in Russia and countries of CIS is terrible. So after reading the article, I checked it again.

One article says that the number of orphans in Russia doesn't reduces at all, and the main reason is destruction of families. I think it's caused by immature country's measures.

In spite of that, Russia is planning to reduce the number of orphans' homes in the country dramatically, and provide foster parents with the many which was used for the orphans' homes. However, it's often the case that people become foster parents for money. Also some children are abused by foster parents.

The following photo is taken by TASS. I'm not sure but probably they are kids in an orphans' home in Russia.
Whenever I see children with such bright smile, I feel a pain, and I can't help hoping that they are happy and something which makes them unhappy never happens.

What is it I can do?

Speech by the minister of Central Tibetan Administration

A small speech by Ms. Dicki Chhoyang, who is the minister of Central Tibetan Administration (aka Tibetan Government in Exile), was held in a temple in my neighborhood.

The main topic is about the current situation of Tibet. There was nothing new for me. But what impressed me was her atmosphere. She looked peaceful, cheerful and calm, but she also looked dignified, like Dalai Lama.

EURO 2012 - too strong Spain

Spain won the EURO 2012.
The final game, vs. Italy was 4 - 0!!

Spain won the cup  three times in a row, EURO 2010, World Cup 2010 and EURO 2012. Incredibly strong--!!

I wonder what the reason is why Spain is so strong. What is the difference between Spain and England?

Spain team celebrating in the dressing room