BEIJING -- Speed skating and other events started in full swing on Saturday, a day after the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. With Team Japan comprising 124 athletes, it was the largest delegation the country has sent to a Winter Games overseas, and a large medal haul is expected.
Miho Takagi, 27, captain of Japan, appeared in the women's 3000-meter speed skating event on Saturday, in her third Olympic Games. She finished in 6th place, missing out on a medal. Takagi is set to compete in four more events, including the 1500 meters on Monday.
In women's snowboard slopestyle, Kokomo Murase, 17, and Reira Iwabuchi, 20, advanced to the final, set to take place on Sunday.
