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Marathon Squad to be Based in U.K. Pre-Olympics After Joint Altitude Training

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/other/athletic/headlines/20120507-00000043-kyodo_sp-spo.html

translated by Brett Larner

The Japanese federation Rikuren announced May 7 that it is organizing a pre-Olympics base for its marathon team in the London suburbs and that team members will conduct their final training there beginning in July.  In response to the marathon squad's complete failure at the Beijing Olympics after one after another of them got injured, this will be Rikuren's first attempt at having its athletes dedicate themselves to working together and sharing their information and know-how.

Rikuren has previously left final training up to each athlete's individual camp, but, said a party involved with the federation's strengthening committee, "We want to make sure that each athlete is fully acclimated to London's weather and environment and to be sure of their condition so that they arrive at the Olympics in peak form."

Rikuren also indicated that the three members of the women's marathon team will go ahead with a previously-announced plan to conduct altitude training together in Flagstaff, Arizona beginning in June.  The Japanese swimming federation is reconsidering its altitude training plans following the death last week of World Champion swimmer Alexander Dale Oen of Norway while altitude training in Flagstaff.

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