Welcoming the Australian Team to the Olympics (February 17) As part of the "One School, One Country Program", Shinonoi Nishi Middle School is paired with Australia. We have been studying the country and cheering for the athletes from "down under" during the Games. On February 5, some of us went to a reception held to welcome the Australian team to Nagano City. There were athletes, coaches, officials, and people from the Australian embassy at the party. We were a little nervous to talk to the competitors, but they were very nice, and the atmosphere was quite friendly. We spoke with them while we ate dinner, and they listened carefully to us as we asked them questions. The next day a ceremony was held to welcome the team to the Olympic Village in Nagano City, where athletes from around the world are staying. We greeted them by singing the Australian national anthem at the ceremony. We're all hoping that the Aussies will do well at the Olympic Games! (Shinonoi Nishi Middle School: Kotaro Higuma)

Student reporters pose with a member of the Australian delegation at the reception for the team. Shinonoi Nishi students sing the Australian national anthem for the team.

Olympic reports from our student correspondents TOP