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Posted: Fri February 20, 1998 
The 19 members of the chorus at Nagano's Tohbu junior high school rehearsed a new song yesterday: The Star Spangled Banner. The students were preparing to sing in English for a group of U.S. athletes who were visiting their school as part of the "One Country, One School" program organized by the Nagano Olympic Committee. For the past year, every school in Nagano has adopted one country to study and cheer for during the Olympic Games. The Tohbu school adopted the U.S. "We have 900 students. Only about five have ever visited America," said Akio Fukabori, an English teacher at Tohbu. "But we have learned very much about the United States."
All that work didn't lessen the students' enthusiasm when it came time to meet their "adopted" U.S. athletes. The kids practiced their program of singing and dancing for almost an hour in an unheated gymnasium. When school vice-principal Sasaki Akira signaled that the athletes had arrived, it was like the return of the Beatles. The kids erupted into screams as speed skater Moira D'Andrea, luger Erin Warren, and curler Mike Peplinski entered the gym. The athletes were shell-shocked by the reception. "This is awesome," said D'Andrea. "They've gone to so much trouble." As the three athletes sat on stage, student Yoshiaki Kuroyanagi, 14, greeted them with a speech. "Welcome to Nagano," said Kuroyanagi, in English. "We want to make friends with you more and more. Please say hello to President Clinton and all the people of your country." The athletes received gifts, including a crate of apples, a specialty of the Nagano region. Then they danced with the students and quizzed them on their knowledge of America: Where is the Statue of Liberty? What is the capital of America? Where will the next Winter Olympics be held? Each question was answered correctly by the enthusiastic students and each correct answer was rewarded with an Olympic pin. The athletes then shook hands with the kids and exchanged high-fives. "I'm so glad we came here," said Warren. "This was a blast."
Don't even think about itCBS producers are being warned to be extra careful when choosing music for highlights and athlete profiles for the remainder of the Games. Here is a partial list of songs that are now off-limits because CBS feels they have been overused:
Talk of the townThe Olympic Village has been buzzing with gossip since allegations surfaced that members of the U.S. men's hockey team trashed their dorm rooms. Here are a few other rumors we just started—er, heard: * Sukki, one of the Snowlets, is under investigation for using a substance banned by the IOC. A spokesperson for the Snowlets says this is a social issue, not a mascot issue, and the alleged substance did not enhance Sukki's performance at the Games in any way. In fact, it may have hindered it. * If bad weather had continued to postpone alpine skiing events, the Nagano Olympic Committee had a contingency plan: The men's downhill and women's giant slalom events would have been postponed until the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. * Sumo wrestling champion Akebono may appear in the Closing Ceremony. This time he will run around Minami Sports Park Stadium buck naked yelling to spectators, "Please go home!" Bob Der and Erin Egan, senior editors at SI For Kids, will be filing daily from Nagano. For a kid-friendly version of these reports, check out SI For Kids Online. Anything you want to know about life in Nagano during the Games? Click here to send your question to Bob and Erin, or e-mail siwriters@cnnsi.com. Be sure to include your name and hometown. Selected questions will be answered in upcoming columns. You can also send questions for specific athletes, and our fearless correspondents will do their best to get a reply.
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