tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post5947246777057847359..comments2024-03-12T06:26:20.751+09:00Comments on japan running news: Rio de Janeiro Olympics Athletics Day Ten Japanese ResultsBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-39822380257759159552016-08-24T00:49:53.224+09:002016-08-24T00:49:53.224+09:00:) Poor choice of words. Maybe, "unreflectiv...:) Poor choice of words. Maybe, "unreflective of the broad base and outstanding performances in school sports programs". Do you know of any other like-size countries that have true national high school championships in nearly as many sports as the Olympics? Before I came to Japan, I only knew the American school sports system. In talking with ex-pats here, it seems that many are Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15027512748081797372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-48546404359403389922016-08-23T14:36:12.096+09:002016-08-23T14:36:12.096+09:00Thanks for all the long, thoughtful comments. Bru...Thanks for all the long, thoughtful comments. Bruce, I don't know that I would buy "Cut out all their best events and they were a no-show" as a good line of argument and it's certainly one you could apply to a lot of other places, but I also don't know that I would be willing to call the remaining 3 gold, 2 silver and 10 bronze medals in 8 different sports a "no-show.&Brett Larnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-44990744235478608482016-08-23T12:50:54.065+09:002016-08-23T12:50:54.065+09:00To Anonymous - you are spot on regarding depth of ...To Anonymous - you are spot on regarding depth of USA team in T&F, Swimming, basketball and gymnastics. So I will just say that in the other 38 Olympic summer sports, the USA is just an anonymous face in the crowd. As for Japan: subtract judo, swimming and wrestling, and they are an Olympic no-show.<br /><br />If you look at the IAAF World U20, Japan medalled same as the Olympics T&F (Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15027512748081797372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-37017150643350289972016-08-22T19:00:31.760+09:002016-08-22T19:00:31.760+09:00To TokyoRacer's theory, it's an interestin...To TokyoRacer's theory, it's an interesting one but I don't see how that could be the explanation given that the Japanese marathoners like Sasaki have run such fabulous times under this system. The one difference to me, and I'm certainly not the first to say it (and it's eluded to in some of the bullets in Brett's list), is that it seems like the Japanese runners race Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-83136809146837934372016-08-22T14:00:50.008+09:002016-08-22T14:00:50.008+09:00Ok, I'll add my theory. It's based on the ...Ok, I'll add my theory. It's based on the fact that the American Jared Ward, a 2:13 marathoner, came in 6th, way ahead of the Japanese. What is the difference between him and them? I think it's his single-minded devotion, commitment, whatever word you want to use. He's focused on himself, his own training, no distractions. Whereas the Japanese are stifled by the corporate team TokyoRacerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10293712044402763377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-38846488707298305162016-08-22T11:30:02.690+09:002016-08-22T11:30:02.690+09:00Just to respond to Bruce, let's put this per-c...Just to respond to Bruce, let's put this per-capita silliness to rest. It would be meaningful only if countries were permitted unlimited entries (for those meeting the minimum time standards). Since the U.S. and Japan, etc, are limited to 3 entries, their additional depth doesn't have a chance to bear fruit. There was some crazy number like the USA has 8 of the top 10 sprint hurdlers Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-3449202672890330212016-08-22T10:32:01.955+09:002016-08-22T10:32:01.955+09:00Ekiden races have helped to produce faster runners...Ekiden races have helped to produce faster runners but they haven't helped to produce tougher runners. If you're running on day 2 of Hakone you're likely running 21-22kms alone. Coaches will pick runners who can run a steady pace in these legs. In the marathon, the pace is constantly changing. Japanese runners can't keep up with the "yusaburi" and end up losing touchAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15014859832423027662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-68643064809878182472016-08-22T09:53:43.896+09:002016-08-22T09:53:43.896+09:00In one view, with China, S Korea, Australia, and R...In one view, with China, S Korea, Australia, and Russia vacating over 50 medal slots from London, who picked up the slack? USA gained 18, and New Zealand, France, and Canada combined to pick up 20. Host Brazil and Japan each gained only 2. Some Olympic committees seem to be doing something right.<br /><br />Another angle is the medal per capita. Obviously India and China don't do so well, Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15027512748081797372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-7089118735506227172016-08-22T08:43:32.817+09:002016-08-22T08:43:32.817+09:00Brett,
I think the focus on domestic runs and tit...Brett,<br /><br />I think the focus on domestic runs and titles is a key factor. You know the term Galapagos, right? As much as I love watching the Hakone ekiden, that ability is not translating into Olympic success. Contrast this with race walking where there are no major domestic events - Japan is a contender.<br /><br />My thoughts,<br /><br />RaymondUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13248800447301050750noreply@blogger.com