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800 m Runner Kieng Samorn Chosen for Cambodian Olympic Team

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/athletics/news/20120521-OHT1T00218.htm

translated by Brett Larner

Cambodian Olympic Committee director Vath Chamrouen announced on May 21 that 800 m runner Kieng Samorn has been named to the Cambodian Olympic team.  Samorn is a replacement for Japanese-born comedian Hiroshi Neko (born Kuniaki Takizaki) who changed his citizenship in a bid to make the Cambodian Olympic team in the men's marathon.  Neither Samorn nor Neko has run an Olympic-qualifying time.

Translator's note: Having no athletes qualified for any track and field event, Cambodia is entitled to send one athlete in an event of its choosing in a special exemption granted under Olympic rules.  Samorn was chosen over marathon national record holder Hem Bunting, who had been ignored in favor of Neko despite running a new national record at April's Paris Marathon seven minutes' faster than Neko's best time.
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