Olympic Torch Relay in Sasebo

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasmine Ikusebiala | SASEBO, Japan (May 8, 2021) – U.S. Naval Forces Japan Chief of Staff Capt. Brad Stallings, former commanding officer of Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, poses with fellow torch bearers during the Olympic torch relay in Sasebo, Japan May 8, 2021. Stallings was nominated by the City of Sasebo to serve as a torch runner in the Nagasaki Prefecture leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay in recognition of the strong relationship between the U.S. Navy and the city. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jasmine Ikusebiala)  

SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JAPAN

05.08.2021

Story by Seaman Jasmine Ikusebiala 

Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo

SASEBO, Japan The smell of smoke travels through the streets of Sasebo, Nagasaki from a flame carefully transported across the oceans from Olympia, Greece in celebration of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Hundreds of people flooded the streets to take part in the ancient Olympic Torch Relay that is now making its way throughout Japan.
Former commanding officer of Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Captain Brad Stallings, currently chief of staff for U.S. Naval Forces Japan, re-visited Sasebo to serve as a torch bearer in the Nagasaki prefecture leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay in Sasebo City May 8, 2021. The City of Sasebo nominated Stallings in 2020 to be a torch bearer when he was the base commander in recognition of the strong relationship between Sasebo City and the U.S. Navy.
“Sasebo is a wonderful city,” said Stallings. “I used to live here for over three years and I got to know a lot of people so when I saw them out there today I missed it. I’m just up the road in Yokosuka so it was great to come back to Sasebo and see a lot of friendly faces.”
The event consisted of the relay and music/dance performances from local entertainment groups. Social distancing was enforced and all attendees were required practice strict preventive measures against the novel coronavirus. The ceremony was a success and attended by numerous people from all around the city, including many Status of U.S. Forces Agreement members living in Sasebo.
Many other Tokyo 2020 Olympic events were postponed or canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, but most of the torch relays and lighting ceremonies conducted throughout the prefectures were not. The Olympic flame left the starting point of the relay in Fukushima Prefecture in March and will travel through all 47 prefectures in Japan to arrive at its final destination in Tokyo in July, spreading its message of “Hope Lights Our Way” to the people of Japan.
“People around the world have been facing many difficulties caused by COVID-19 since last year,” said Norio Tomonaga, the mayor of Sasebo City. “We think the torch relay will bring courage to people in Japan and around the world as a symbol of the power of people to overcome difficulties.”

For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CFASasebo, https://sports.nhk.or.jp/olympic/torch/events/20210508/, and https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/cfa_sasebo.html

• Date Taken: 05.08.2021
• Date Posted: 05.11.2021 05:59
• Story ID: 396079
• Location: SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JP