Japanese Olympians for Cork

FOR a number of years the Japanese federation sent small teams of athletes to Cork City Sports and that relationship will be renewed at The Mardyke on July 12 when the Far East will be represented by at least two of their Olympic hopefuls.

Included in the team is Maru Ozaki, a 2:23 marathon runner who is a leading contender for a place on Japan’s team for the Olympics. She will be joined in the 3000m race by Akanie Taira and Yoshiko Fujinaga.

The Irish challenge in the women’s 3,000m will once again be spearheaded by Maria McCambridge (DSD) in a field that will also include such notables as Victoria Mitchell, Americans Molly Huddle and Renee Baillie and Megan Metcalfe from Canada.