Three RI marathon runners preparing for the Olympics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Track and Field Association
\n(PASI) is preparing three marathon runners for this year's
\nOlympic Games in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
"These are female long-distant runner Ruwiyati and male
\nrunners Suyono and Ethel Hudson. They are the only ones who have
\nqualified for the Olympics," coach Peter Noya said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Ruwiyati and Suyono won the gold medals with record breaking
\ntimes each in the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai last
\nDecember, while Ethel finished second behind Suyono.<\/p>\n
The Olympic Games are scheduled from July 19 to Aug. 4 in
\nAtlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n
Peter cautioned that the National Sports Council might opt not
\nto send them to Atlanta because President Soeharto has ordered
\nPASI to send only potential medal winners in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
This would mean that only badminton players, tennis players,
\nboxers and archers are eligible to represent the country at the
\nworld's biggest sporting meet.<\/p>\n
At the last SEA Games, Ruwiyati clocked two hours 34 minutes
\nand 24 seconds, Suyono two hours 21 minutes and two seconds and
\nEthel two hours 21 minutes and 11 seconds.<\/p>\n
Their records exceeded the minimum times set by the
\nInternational Olympic Committee (IOC) to qualify for the Olympic
\nGames.<\/p>\n
The Olympic minimum time for the women's marathon is 2:35.00
\nand 2:25.00 for the men's.<\/p>\n
Peter said that an international 30-kilometer run in Malang,
\nEast Java, on April 14, will be used by PASI as the final test of
\ntheir readiness for the Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
"If Ruwiyati fails to make 1:58.00 and Suyono and Ethel take
\nmore than 1:40.00, they will not pass the test," Peter said.<\/p>\n
If they make it, however, Peter will urge the council to name
\nhis long-distance runners members of the national Olympic squad.<\/p>\n
Peter and the Indonesian Track and Field Association's general
\naffairs official, Gurmilang Kartasasmita, yesterday met with
\nHindarto, the training director of the council to discuss
\nIndonesia's preparations for the 1997 SEA Games here. (arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-ri-marathon-runners-preparing-for-the-olympics-1447893297",
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