Sara Takanashi found inspiration for the Pyeongchang Olympics from an unlikely source — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Takanashi, vying for her first Olympic medal in women's ski jumping, said Saturday that she spoke at the athletes' village with Abe, who attended the games' opening ceremony on Friday, when he also met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Takanashi, who was also at the ceremony, genuinely appeared to be in awe of her meeting with Abe, saying it gave her a lift.