Sayaka Mikami, a native of Yonago City who competed in the women’s springboard diving event at the Paris Olympics, visited Yonago City Hall on the 2nd and announced that she will be aiming to compete in the Los Angeles Games four years from now.

Sayaka Mikami, Paris Olympic athlete:
I was very worried about whether I should continue diving, but I had received so much support and I felt very disappointed that I was not able to live up to that support. I received encouragement and strength from Mayor Iki and others who told me that they would continue to support me, and I have now changed my mind and want to move forward again.

On the 2nd, Sayaka Mikami visited Yonago City Hall with her coach, Chimaki Yasuda, and others. She conveyed her gratitude to Mayor Iki for the support he has shown her at the Paris Olympics.

Yonago City Mayor Iki:
I believe that the results of the Paris Olympics will definitely live on in my memory. I predict that four years from now, ten years from now, twenty years from now, when I meet Mikami-san, I will probably be able to say, “That was a great time.”

At the Paris Olympics, where she was aiming to win a medal, she was unfortunately eliminated in the qualifying rounds. She was unsure whether to continue competing, but the support of her hometown gave her the push she needed, and she proved her ability by winning her third consecutive title at the Japan Championships held on August 30th.

Sayaka Mikami:
I know it will be a tough road as I aim for the Los Angeles Olympics, but I will not give up and will do my best to achieve my goal and live up to everyone’s expectations.

He has announced that he will compete in the Los Angeles Olympics four years from now. He is looking ahead to the next Olympics, saying, “I will repay my debt to the Olympics at the Olympics.”