Two Japan Airlines Cabin Crew compete in 2004 Olympic Games

JAL Group employees will be cheering on two of their colleagues during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games as JAL cabin attendants Natsumi Yabuuchi and Naomi Yashiro are members of the Japanese national women’s basketball team.

Yabuuchi and Yashiro are players on the "JAL Rabbits", the airline’s successful company basketball team founded by JAL Group CEO Isao Kaneko, former coach and now honorary team president. When not playing basketball or training, Yabuuchi and Yashiro fly as cabin crew.

"We are very proud at their selection," said Kaneko. "They are the first Olympians in JAL’s history."

The Japanese team’s first match is against Brazil on August 14.

The JAL Group supports the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) as the Committee’s official airline. In support of the national Olympic team, JAL operates some domestic 777s specially painted with a giant banner announcing 'Gambare Japan' (Hurrah Japan).