(August 5)

(Zhai Xiao, a reporter covering 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.)

Throughout Japan, people know the "Olympic Uncle" Yamada. Recently, he announced he would officially retire after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Since 1964, the 82 year-old man has served as the Olympic cheerleading captain continuously for 44 years.It is said that Yamada was an entrepreneur when he was young. He has been to 12 Olympic Games, including the Munich, Nagano and Athens Games, gaining him the title of "International Olympic Cheerleading Captain".    

During the 5,000m competition of the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, Yamada's "cheer up, Mexico" received an enthusiastic response from the audience. From that time on, he became a zealous cheerleader. He is famous for distributing national flags throughout the Olympic stadiums. He is confident that he will surprise the world during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.       

Yamada believes it's best to keep the audience quiet so as to support the players by not distracting them.

His standard attire is a golden hat, kimono and fans. This Olympic icon hopes to have more opportunities to communicate with people around the world in the future. 

A file photo shows Yamada talks in a talkshow in CCTV, May 4, 2008.