Seiko Hashimoto, Japan’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming Vancouver Olympics, said Sunday she has set the country’s athletes a target of 10 medals. ‘‘As a medal target, I aim at the number we won in Nagano,’’ Hashimoto said after arriving in Vancouver from Japan.
At the 1998 Nagano Games, Japan secured the most medals it has ever won in a Winter Olympics with 10, including five golds.
‘‘I want to do whatever I can so that the Japanese athletes will reflect back on the Vancouver Olympics as their best Olympics,’’ said the 45-year-old, a seven-time Olympian who will be the first woman ever to head the Japanese team at a Summer Games or Winter Olympics.
Hashimoto holds the Japanese record for most Olympic appearances and has taken part in the Winter Games four times, winning a speed skating bronze medal in the 1,500 meters at the 1992 Albertville Games.
She has also competed in three Summer Olympics as a cyclist.
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