The 1932 Winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid, New York. The Japanese, new to alpine sports, finished out of the medals, but performed gamely. During the 50 km (31 mi.) ski race, one of their coaches used an unusual technique to inspire his team. What was it?
A) Gave each racer a secret haiku to recite while skiing B) Made each skier carry a photo of the Emperor C) Played them the Japanese anthem at the hardest part of the course ü D) Promised to introduce them to American ice-cream
Armed with a portable record player, the coach would greet each Japanese competitor with the strains of their national anthem as the skier sweated his way up the steep hill. Japan’s top ski jumper, Gaio Adachi, had to be hospitalized after colliding with a grandstand during a practice jump. Nevertheless, he pulled himself out of his hospital bed in order to compete in the event, and secured eighth place.
