The defending Olympic champion failed to reclaim his title but his massive fanbase supported him.
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By Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland
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Video caption: Snow buries north and west Japan The snow has meant grounded flights and stranded travellers as people are told to stay indoors.
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Video caption: ICYMI: Eel-powered Christmas lights and a Messi mural Copenhagen's 700 festive kayaks and some of the stories you might have missed this week.
By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
BBC News, Tokyo
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Video caption: Man rescued after 22 hours adrift off Japan coast Watch the moment rescuers reach the 69-year-old, whose boat capsized in stormy waters.
















