The Olympic Games, London 2012 By Amy Fulwood

Motto Hayaku, Motto Takaku, Motto Tsuyoku もっと　早く、　もっと　高く、　 もっと　強く Motto Hayaku, Motto Takaku, Motto Tsuyoku The Olympic Motto

Australia’s Olympic History Australia first participated at the Olympic games in 1896, and has competed at every Olympic games since then. Many of the Australian gold medals have come from swimming events. The teams have also been strong in hockey, rowing, cycling, equestrian and sailing. Australia’s Olympic History

Japan’s Olympic History Japan first participated at the Olympic games in 1912, and has competed at almost every Olympic games since then. The nation was not invited to the 1948 Games after World War II, and Japan was part of the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Most of Japan’s medals have been won in judo, gymnastics, wrestling and swimming. Japan’s Olympic History

Australia’s Olympic Information Location - Oceania Anthem title - Advance Australia Fair Number of appearances in Summer Games - 27, including London 2012 Number of times as host of Summer Olympic Games – 2 (1956 Melbourne, 2000 Sydney) Number of times as host of Winter Olympic Games – 0 Australia’s Olympic Information Source: Wikipedia

Japan’s Olympic Information Location - Asia Anthem title - Kimi Ga Yo Wa (May 1000 Years of Happy Reign Be Yours) Number of appearances in Summer Games - 21, including London 2012 Number of times as host of Summer Olympic Games – 1 (1964 Tokyo) Number of times as host of Winter Olympic Games – 2 (1972 Sapporo, 1998 Nagano) Japan’s Olympic Information Source: Wikipedia

The Australian Olympic Team The captain of the Australian team and flag bearer is Lauren Jackson. She is a professional basketball player. This will be her 4th Olympic games as a competitor. The Australian Olympic Team

The Japanese Olympic Team The Japan Olympic Committee has announced that men’s javelin thrower Yukifumi Murakami will captain Japan’s team at the London Olympic Games. Women’s wrestling champion Saori Yoshida will be the team’s flag bearer. The Japanese Olympic Team

Japanese athletes to watch for during the Olympic Games. Japan’s Men’s Soccer Team “Samurai Blue” Tanaka siblings - Gymnastics Japan’s Judo Team – 14 members Hiroshi Kotestu – 71 years old!

Japan’s Swimming Team – there are 27 athletes. Japan’s gymnastics team. (Front row L-R) Yuko Shintake, Koko Tsurumi, Asuka Teramoto, Yu Minobe and Rie Tanaka. (Back row L-R) Yusuke Tanaka, Ryohei Kato, Koji Yamamuro, Kazuhito Tanaka and Kohei Uchimura.

How Many Gold Medals Can Australia Win at the London Olympics? “Australia will rank fifth in the world at the London Olympic Games - winning 15 gold medals and 46 in total - but will be thrashed in the gold rush by the British, a team of economists has predicted.” (http://www.canberratimes.com.au) How Many Gold Medals Can Australia Win at the London Olympics?

How Many Gold Medals Can Japan Win at the London Olympics? “While the British Olympic Association is predicting that Japan will get 11, the Japan Olympic Committee predicts that Japan is “absolutely assured” of getting five.” (The Learning Hub, July 2012) How Many Gold Medals Can Japan Win at the London Olympics?

Australia’s bid for hosting future Summer Olympics. By 2024 it will have been 24 years since Australia and the Oceania region had last hosted the Summer Olympics when Sydney hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics. Brisbane has been pre-selected by the Australian Olympic Committee as a likely Australian bid city. Melbourne is also considering a bid for either the 2024 or 2028 Summer Olympics. The only major venue that would need to be constructed would be a rowing and canoeing course. The city hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. It already has the infrastructure in place to host an Olympic Games. Australia’s bid for hosting future Summer Olympics. Source: Wikipedia

Japan’s bid for hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Tokyo is planning to bid to host the 2020 Olympics. It would be a great economic boost to the country, especially after the devastating blow of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Tokyo is promoting its 2020 bid as a symbol of Japan's recovery from the natural disaster that left more than 19,000 people dead or missing on Japan's northeast coast. Tokyo's 2020 bid committee projects that 84,000 new jobs would be created in Tokyo and 68,000 elsewhere. Japan’s bid for hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Source: Wikipedia

Final Medal Count…. Australia Gold / Kin medaru: Silver / Gin medaru: Bronze Dou medaru: Japan Gold / Kin medaru: Silver / Gin medaru: Bronze Dou medaru: Final Medal Count….