Around 100 Japanese athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics paraded Saturday on a famous street in Tokyo’s Nihombashi area for about 700 meters to thank fans for their support.

About 10,000 spectators gathered on Chuo Street to catch a glimpse of the athletes, including Olympic men’s judo 66-kilogram champion Hifumi Abe, women’s wrestling 53-kg gold medalist Akari Fujinami and Paralympic women’s badminton singles gold medalist Sarina Satomi.

“I was happy to hear thank you and congratulations,” Fujinami said.

Athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including Olympic judoka Hifumi Abe (2nd from L), parade in Tokyo’s Nihombashi area on Nov. 30, 2024. (Kyodo)

Athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including Paralympic swimmer Keiichi Kimura (2nd from R), parade in Tokyo’s Nihombashi area on Nov. 30, 2024. (Kyodo)

In Paris, Japan collected its most gold medals and podium finishes achieved at an overseas Summer Olympics, 20 and 45, respectively, while taking home 14 Paralympic gold medals, one more than at the Tokyo Paralympics.

“I’ve never had a big occasion like this where I can express my gratitude (in front of this many people),” Satomi said. “I’m so impressed.”

Also taking part in the parade were Olympic fencer Misaki Emura, who took bronze in the women’s sabre team event, and Paralympic swimmer Keiichi Kimura, who picked up two gold medals.

After the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Japan had a joint parade of Olympic and Paralympic medalists for the first time.

There was no parade after the Tokyo Games in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.