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