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)