Anri -- Ano Natsu ni Modoritai （あの夏に戻りたい）

When it comes to J-Pop songs tied into the Olympics, my all-time favourites are Maki Ohguro's （大黒摩季）"Atsuku Nare"（熱くなれ）which was the official theme song for NHK's coverage of the Atlanta Summer Games in 1996 and Misia's "Hatenaku Tsuzuku Story"（果てなく続くストーリー） for the national broadcaster's coverage for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002.

However, Anri（杏里） came up with a pretty pleasant summery tune also for the 1996 Games in July of that year. Her 33rd single was titled "Ano Natsu ni Modoritai" (Wanna Go Back To Those Summer Days) and was used for the TV Asahi segment of those Games. Although I don't think it will ever break into the Top 10 of Anri hits, listening to it again still brings some nice memories of just that early time in my stay in Ichikawa. Written by Yukinojo Mori（森雪之水） and composed by Anri, the song also got onto her 18th album for 1996, "Angel Whisper".

In a few more days, the Sochi Games will begin in Russia. I hope both Japan and Canada do well, and I hope all of the nations' athletes there stay safe.