The Japan Cycling Federation on Thursday named six athletes who will represent the host nation in track cycling at the postponed Tokyo Games, including keirin gold medal hopefuls Yuta Wakimoto and Yudai Nitta.
Wakimoto booked his spot for the second straight games and will be gunning for his maiden Olympic medal in keirin — the race format born in Japan — on home soil next summer. Nitta will be competing in his first Olympics since the 2012 London Games.
"There was a time when I was depressed about the possibility of the Olympics being canceled, but I feel positive since the postponement was decided," Wakimoto said.