Notes:
Netherlands オランダ;
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The first Speed Skating World Cup of the season was held in the Netherlands over the weekend. The Netherlands has a long history of skating, but this time, Asian countries were the winners. The Japanese women’s team set a new world record in the team pursuit. Takagi Miho, Sato Ayana and Takagi Nana broke the record held by Canada for 8 years. Japanese women also took the gold in the 500 meters (Kodaira Nao), the 1,500 meters (Takagi Miho), and the mass start (Sato Ayano). In the men’s division, Korea won 2 gold medals (Lee Seun-hoon). (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Today is Sports Day. It used to fall on October 10 until the “Happy Monday” system began in 2000, but it has been on a Monday every year since then. The weather today is supposed to be good almost everywhere in Japan, so go outside and get some exercise. Play a sport or go for a hike in the mountains. Ride your bicycle along a river. Go for a walk in a park and enjoy watching the other people there. This weather isn’t going to last forever. Soon it will get colder, and you will want to stay inside most of the time. Go out and enjoy it now while you can. (Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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