Olympian Takahashi to race in Bali 10K run<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 2000 Sydney Olympic women's 10,000 meters
\ngold medalist, Naoko Takahashi of Japan, will run in the
\nIndonesia Power 10K in Bali in October.<\/p>\n
The chief of the organizing committee, Abdul Aziz Hasan, said
\nduring a media conference on Thursday that Takahashi, who also
\nwon the 1998 Asian Games marathon gold medal, has confirmed her
\nparticipation in the event.<\/p>\n
\"Naoko has confirmed that she will take part in the event. She
\nwas invited by Japan Airlines,\" Aziz said.<\/p>\n
The organizers have also invited a number of other national
\nand international runners and well-known Indonesian politicians
\nto take part in the 10-kilometer run on Oct. 14. The event will
\noffer Rp 200 million (US$17,400) in prize money.<\/p>\n
Aziz said the organizers were considering some 100 politicians
\nfor possible inclusion in the event. But he said the race would
\nlikely be opened by Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
\"We have asked Ibu Megawati to open the Indonesia Power 10K.
\nWe don't regard her as the vice president in this case, but as an
\nindividual. The participants will also include members of the
\npolitical elite, the board of directors of Indonesia Power, state
\nenterprises, the National Sports Council and the Indonesian
\nAmateur Athletics Association (PASI).\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia Power is a subsidiary of state-owned electricity
\ncompany PLN.<\/p>\n
\"We also hope that the event can bring together the political
\nelite of Jakarta and Bali on the same track,\" Aziz said.<\/p>\n
A number of national athletes, including men's long-distance
\nrunner Eduardus Nabunome, Antonius Fallo, Gde Karang Asem, Ferry
\nJunaidi and women's runners Supriati Sutono, Rini Budiarti and
\nHanny Melon have also confirmed their participation.<\/p>\n
Aziz said an extra cash bonus of Rp 100 million would be
\nawarded to any athlete who could break the men's national record
\nof 29:25 set by Eduardus and the women's record of 35:02 set by
\nRuwiyati and Suryati Marijo.<\/p>\n
\"The Indonesia Power 10K is a mass event. It's affordable for
\nmost people. We wanted to sponsor a track event because athletics
\nhave been neglected by state enterprises and other sponsors since
\nthe economy crisis,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PASI secretary-general Tigor Tanjung said he hoped the event
\nwould also help uncover new long-distance running talent.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that the organizers can achieve the goal of realizing
\nthe highest achievements in the track event, and also find
\nrunners who have the potential to contribute in the event,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On another subject, Tigor said PASI would select the Southeast
\nAsian Games team in July.<\/p>\n
\"Athletes will be selected during two Grand Prix series in
\nJakarta on July 1 and July 15. The core team will consist of some
\n40 athletes, but we will not take part in all 46 events featured
\nin the Games.\"<\/p>\n
Tigor said Indonesia would not take part in the men's
\nheptathlon, decathlon, steeplechase, discus and shot put and the
\nwomen's high jump. (ivy)<\/p>",
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