SYDNEY -- The first day of competition may be crucial to Japan's prospects at the Sydney Olympics. Japan has three gold medal prospects competing Saturday: judoka Ryoko Tamura and Tadahiro Nomura, and swimmer Yasuko Tajima.
"The first day is very important," said Japan Olympic Committee executive board member Tsunekazu Takeda on Thursday.
"Remember at the last Olympics in Nagano, Hiroyasu Shimizu took gold in speedskating and gave so much power to the other athletes."