The Embassy of Switzerland in Japan has participated in many exchanges with Fuji city, one of our Host Towns. This time, Fuji City organized an online cross-cultural exchange between high school students and the Swiss swimming team, represented by chief competitive sports Markus Buck, and bronze medalist Jeremy Desplanches. The swimming team had stayed in Fuji City for their pre-camp training session prior to the Olympics and will be back again next year for another camp ahead of the 2022 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka.

Students were able to ask both men about their Olympic experience, their thoughts on Japan and Switzerland and even requested some tips on swimming. The exchange ended with messages from both Jeremy Desplanches and Markus Buck to the students. Jeremy told them : “What is driving my life is doing what I like to do. Never forget where you came from. Share what you like. Sharing is life.” While Markus added: “Try hard and never give up. Failing in life always happens. It would be stupid to be afraid. It is a natural part. It makes you better. Failure is a necessity to get better. When you go with such an attitude, you will succeed.”