Every four years just before the Olympic Games begin, the Japanese broadcast, online and print media announce with the confidence bordering on arrogance just how many gold medals the nation¡¯s athletes are ¡°expected¡± to win. The figure is always given as the ¡°minimum expected.¡±
Rarely do the athletes live up to expectations regardless of the magnificent efforts each and every one of them makes.
Similarly, in the run-up to the soccer World Cup the same enthusiasm emerges. Reaching the quarterfinals, possibly even the semis is now the minimum expected of the men¡¯s team.
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