japan running news: Olympic Champion Dita Voices Support for Noguchi Ahead of Sunday's Osaka Int'l Women's Marathon

With the completion of the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon the four-race series of Japanese men's selection races for the London Olympics is now finished. The federation has not declared any specific criteria for nomination to the team but it is generally agreed that two men have secured spots, Tokyo Marathon runner-up Arata Fujiwara (2:07:48) and Lake Biwa 4th-placer Ryo Yamamoto (2:08:44). Up to four men stand a chance of picking up the last remaining team spot, with one more being named alternate. The announcement of the Olympic lineup is scheduled for Mar. 12 following Sunday's Nagoya Women's Marathon.

Who will pick up the third Olympic team place?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Olympic Champion Dita Voices Support for Noguchi Ahead of Sunday's Osaka Int'l Women's Marathon

http://www.sanspo.com/smp/sports/news/120124/spg1201240502000-s.htm

translated by Brett Larner

The athletes' village for the Jan. 29 London Olympics selection year Osaka International Women's Marathon opened Jan. 23 at an Osaka-area hotel. The first invited athlete to arrive was 2008 Beijing Olympics marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita (Romania). Speaking on her 42nd birthday, Dita commented on her preparation and plans for her third appearance in Osaka after an absence of four years. "Compared to four years ago my overall volume is down, but I've trained enough to challenge my body," she said. Of her friend and predecessor as Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi (33, Team Sysmex) Dita voiced her support as she said, "She's still young. She's at a perfect age for winning another medal at the Olympics. I hope she has a great performance."