秋篠宮ご夫妻がリモート観戦　大分車いすマラソン

　秋篠宮ご夫妻は２１日、大分市で開かれた第４０回大分国際車いすマラソンをオンラインで赤坂御用地（東京都港区）から視聴し、閉会式に出席された。閉会式では、秋篠宮さまが「この大会が全ての人々が輝く共生社会を象徴するイベントとして、今後もますます輝き続けていかれることを祈念します」とあいさつした。
　ご夫妻は大会後、男女マラソン部門の日本人トップら４選手と懇談。日本新記録で男子２位だった鈴木朋樹選手に、秋篠宮さまは「本当に素晴らしいレースだったと思います」と声を掛けた。（2021/11/21-18:18）

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko watched online an annual international wheelchair marathon event held in the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Sunday.
   The couple attended the closing ceremony for the 40th Oita International Wheelchair Marathon from the Akasaka Imperial estate in Tokyo's Minto Ward.
   "I wish this competition will continue to shine more and more as an event symbolizing an inclusive society in which all people shine," the Crown Prince said at the ceremony.
   After the race, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko talked with four runners online. "I think you did really well in the race," the Crown Prince told Tomoki Suzuki, who finished second in the men's race with a Japanese record.
   The competition started in 1981 as the world's first international marathon event only for people in wheelchair. Japanese Imperial Family members, including Emperor Naruhito, and former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko, now holding the titles of Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, often watched the event.