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Tosa and Shibui`s Training Plans Unaffected by Kunming Bus Explosion

http://beijing2008.nikkansports.com/athletics/p-sp-tp0-20080722-386701.html

translated by Brett Larner

Beijing Olympics women`s marathon team member Reiko Tosa (32, Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo) was unharmed by Sunday`s explosion of a commuter bus in southern China`s Kunming, carrying out her scheduled training on July 21st. Situated at 1900 m elevation, Kunming is a popular location for altitude training for both Japanese and Chinese athletes. A spokesperson for the Chinese sports association responsible for overseeing foreign athletes reported, "We have spoken with all Japanese athletes and coaches and all are safe."

At the time of the explosion, Tosa and her coach Hideo Suzuki were training in the countryside approximately 40 minutes by car from the city of Kunming. This was her only scheduled day of training outside the city. Speaking from within Japan, Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo manager Takashi Takaseki assured the public, "This situation created no problems for us. Tosa was able to train as usual without any negative impact." The team plans for her to remain in Kunming through July 30th as scheduled.

Tosa`s Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo teammate Yoko Shibui (29) is also going through with her scheduled training, arriving in Kunming on July 22nd to prepare for the Beijing Olympic women`s 10000 m. Coach Shigeharu Watanabe commented, "We`re not worried at all. At the same time, we have to be on guard to help our athletes completed their preparations."
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