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For the fourth time in its history, Japan has been awarded the right to host Olympic events. After 1940 (Tokyo and Sapporo), 1964 (Tokyo) and 1972 (Sapporo), it was Nagano's turn in 1998 to face this extraordinary challenge.

Dates: February 7 - 22, 1998 N.O.C. participants: 72 Number of sports: 7 Number of contests: 68 Number of athletes: 2176 Men: 1389 Women: 787 Volonteers: 32000 Media: 8329 Opening: The Emperor Akihito Oath: Kenji Ogiwara Oath juges: Junko Hiramatsu Number of torch bearer: 0 Last torch bearer: Midori Ito Bids towns: Aoste (ITA), Jaca (ESP), Oestersund (SWE), Salt Lake City (USA)