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Reiko Tosa Announces Intent to Retire

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2008082901128
http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/track/news/20080830spn00m050007000c.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

At a press conference at her alma mater Matsuyama University, Beijing Olympics women's marathon competitor Reiko Tosa (32, Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo), who dropped out of the Olympic marathon at 25 km with a severe injury to her right foot, announced her intention to retire, saying, "I haven't talked to my company about it yet, but I want to put an end to the marathon. I thought this before the Olympics and haven't changed my mind since then. I'm going to retire."

Tosa's DNF in the Beijing Olympics women's marathon was the first in her career. Immediately afterwards she said nothing about the potential for her retirement. At the time of her return to Japan on Aug. 19, Tosa described her condition as, "I'm able to walk, but it'll be a month and a half before I can run. Maybe I should just quit. That's where I am right now." At today's press conference she said through tears, "This [Olympic marathon] was the end, but even though I still regret how it turned out I was so happy just to be able to be there on the starting line."

Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo coach Hideo Suzuki commented, "Tosa herself also says that she wants to have a baby. After it's born, it's possible that she could find a new desire to run and then make a comeback."
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