Japanese Olympic Distance Running Preview

by Brett Larner

It is no secret that the marathon dominates the Japanese distance running world. The pressure on Japanese marathoners is intense, although its nature is different for women and men. Japanese women have won marathon medals in the last four Olympics, including the last two gold medals, and are expected to continue this legacy. The men, on the other hand, have not won a medal since Koichi Morishita’s silver in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and as a result are perceived to be inferior to the women. While this is statistically debatable, it cannot be argued that Japanese runners, male and female, have been less competitive at all distances shorter than the marathon.

This year may well be different as the country is sending possibly its best-ever Olympic distance running team, including the national record holders in both the men`s and women`s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m and in the women`s 10000m and marathon. Not only the female marathoners but also the male marathoners and women`s 10000m team hold realistic potential for a medal.

Click each event below for detailed athlete profiles and previews.

Women`s 3000 m SC - Men`s 3000 m SC
Women`s 5000 m - Men`s 5000 m
Women`s 10000 m - Men`s 10000 m
Women`s Marathon - Men`s Marathon

© 2008 Brett Larner
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