UNTIL THEY ADD ICE SOCCER TO PROGRAM

Newspapers in Nagano exist not only to report the news; they are also here to serve.

“Nagano ‘98,” a trilingual journal chronicling the Games in English, French and Japanese, came to the rescue of members of the British delegation desperate to find a live feed of Sunday’s clash between London soccer rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Sending out reporters to “scour the streets of Nagano to find a suitable venue,” the tabloid proudly reported that it had located a bar, “Thirty’s,” on Chuo-dori, that would carry the game.

“Bar manager, Mr. Nagai, told [us] he will do his best to get the channel in time,” the item concluded. “But please let us know if you find any other venues. Thank you.”