Inspiring Japan’s winter sports athletes
Sapporo 1972 boosted Japanese – and Asian – winter sport.
As the first Olympic Winter Games held in Asia, Sapporo 1972 inspired people across the continent to watch, and take up, snow and ice disciplines.
It helped that Japan had some real winter sports heroes to cheer on. In the 70m ski jump, three Japanese athletes – known to fans as the Hinomaru Squadron – occupied the podium. Yukio Kasaya won the title in front of 20,000 ecstatic spectators, with silver going to Akitsugu Konno, and Seiji Aochi getting the bronze.
It was Japan’s first ever Winter Games gold medal, and Kasaya became a national star after showing that he could beat the Europeans and North Americans at their own game.
Two decades on, at the Albertville 1992 Winter Games, Asian countries were consistent challengers, with Japan leading the way with seven medals. Since Sapporo 1972, Japan has won 13 golds, 21 silvers and 21 bronzes at the Olympic Winter Games. The Republic of Korea also made ground and, along with China, has emerged as a serious contender in Olympic competition.