History
NAGANO 1998 Winter Olympic Games
The 18th Olympic Winter Gameswhich were held over 16 days from 7 to 22 February1998were the second Winter Olympics to be held in Japan26 years after the Sapporo Olympics of 1972. The events were mainly held in the city of Nagano and the nearby towns of YamanouchiHakubaKaruizawa and Nozawaonsen. With its motto of "Coexistence with the Nature," the host nation paid the utmost attention to environmental issues of all kindsincluding the venuesfurniture in the Athletes' Villagethe clothing of officials and so on.
A total of 2,176 athletes (1,389 men and 787 women) from 72 countries and regions took part in 68 events in seven sportsincludingfor the first timesnowboarding and curling.
Japan's delegation of 313 comprised 147 officials and 166 athletes (100 men and 66 women) and the team won five gold medalsone silver medal and four bronze medals (10 in total). For the first timeJapan won multiple gold medals and its total medal haul was its best ever.
Kazuyoshi Funaki in the ski jump and Hiroyasu Shimizu in speed skating won two medals eachwhile Tae Satoya became the first Japanese female to win gold at an Olympic Winter Gamesin the women's moguls event in free skiing.
The "One SchoolOne Country Program"under which local elementary and secondary schools were allotted their own country to supportwas tried for the first time at the Nagano Olympics. This activity has since been continued at subsequent Olympic Games.
Alsoutilizing Japan's high technology know-howcar navigation systems were fitted in the vehicles used for transporting officialswhile a video-on-demand systemenabling those involved to watch action from the events at any timewas also provided.
After the Games were finishedthe Nagano Olympic Museum was established inside the M-Wave arenawhich was used as the venue for the speed skating events. Todaythe Olympic Torchmedalsvideo images and other items are on display here.
Opening ceremony
Closing ceremony
Ski jump team (FunakiHaradaOkabeSaito)
Athletes' village
Poster
Medal
Torch