Message

I am very glad that a foundation devoted to children and sports has been established in Yokohama, a city that has become familiar to me as the venue of World Triathlon Yokohama.

This illustration depicts the concept of "friendship, joy and mutual support through sports," based on the purpose of the Foundation. I hope that it gives a lot of people a chance to know what the Foundation does. I also truly hope that the Foundation keeps growing to provide a better environment for children seeking to compete in future Olympics and Paralympics.

Profile of Ms. Ai Ueda

Date of birth:

December 26, 1983

Blood type:

A

Place of birth:

Kyoto Prefecture

Ms. Ai Ueda was a swimmer in junior high school and competed in track and field in high school. After that, she switched to triathlon where she could use her strengths in both of the sports she had mastered. It is about 12 years since Ms. Ueda started to participate in triathlon races. The outstanding achievements she has made both at home and abroad include victories at All-Japan Championship, Asia Championship and World Cup. She participated in two consecutive Olympic Games in Beijing and London as a member of Japan's national triathlon team.

A woman of small build standing 155 cm tall and weighing 44 kg, Ms. Ueda is an extremely powerful athlete and known familiarly as "Ai-chan" in the world of triathlon.