Tokyo Together Podcast: Justine Smethurst and the Aussie Spirit Softball Team arrive in Japan

Beijing 2008 softball Olympic bronze medallist Justine Smethurst has had to wait 13 years for another shot at an Olympic appearance. Now, that opportunity is closer than ever with the pitcher landing in Japan last week with the 23-player Aussie Spirit Softball Australia squad.

The team were the very first international athletes from any country or sport to arrive in Japan ahead of this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games, and their arrival was met with a flurry of international media attention as the team created history in Ota City.

On this week’s episode of the Tokyo Together podcast, presented by Optus, Smethurst shares what this experience has been like, and what the team’s day-to-day life looks like in their unique bubble environment in Japan.

The squad will play 34 matches against the Japanese Professional League and two matches against the Japanese National Team before the final team of 15 selected players take on the host nation, Japan, at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium at 9.00 am local time, two days before the Opening Ceremony on 23 July

Smethurst also relives her Olympic debut as the youngest member of the Softball Team that won bronze at Beijing 2008, and what she’s been up to since then.

She shares the significance of her sport returning to the Olympic programme this year after a 13-year hiatus, and her hopes and dreams for a second Games appearance.

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