Japan's 'Uncle Olympics' dies with unfulfilled Tokyo 2020 dream

An iconic Japanese Olympic fan, who attended every summer games since Tokyo in 1964 has passed away just a year ahead of the Summer Games returning to his hometown. Naotoshi Yamada, a Tokyo-based businessman, died from heart failure at the age of 92 last week.

The die-hard Olympic fan, popularly known as "Uncle Olympics", was a national celebrity in his own right with his regular appearances in Olympic stands since the 1964 Summer Games.

the ever-green Yamada, often seen sporting a gold top hat, kimono and a beaming smile, was a prominent fixture for Japanese TV viewers vociferously cheering for his country at the "Greatest Show On Earth".

A post on his website said, "After 92 years of his life spent cheering, Naotoshi Yamada, international Olympic cheerleader, was called to eternal rest on March 9, 2019."

The man, who was born in 1926, ran a successful wire rope manufacturing business and also ventured into the hotel and real estate sectors.

Naotoshi Yamada watches the game during the Rio Olympics on August 18, 2016. /VCG Photo

Since making his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 1964, Yamada attended the subsequent Summer Games in Mexico City, Munich, Montreal, Moscow, Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro.

Although the Summer Games were his passion, he also attended the Winter Games in Nagano in 1998. However, his strong desire for watching the 2020 Tokyo Games in his hometown got shattered as his legendary life as a super fan of the Olympics came to an end.

Describing Yamada as a "real super fan", the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said, "Sad to hear the news of the death of 'Uncle Olympics', Naotoshi Yamada at the age of 92. He was a real 'super' fan watching every edition of the Games from Tokyo 64 onwards. We will miss him in Tokyo next year!"