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Hong Kong Marathon: Tokyo Olympic Games could remain a dream for local female marathon runners fears coach
- Four women’s runners will be attempting the marathon qualifying mark but coach Murao said it would be very difficult
- Three Hong Kong girls have represented Hong Kong at the Olympics
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Hong Kong coach Shinetsu Murao warned that the odds are against his marathon runners who are eager to make their appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The Japanese coach, who led leading runner Christy Yiu Kit-ching to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, said the world governing body intended to cut down the size for the next Games with a qualifying standard that could be too difficult for his charges to reach.
“The qualifying mark for the Rio Games was easy,” said Murao on the eve of the annual Hong Kong marathon. “But now the trend is to reduce the entry number for major games which means it will be very difficult for Hong Kong’s distance runners.
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“The 2019 World Championships in Doha has already set a qualifying mark which is very high, needless to say it will be the same for the Olympic Games next year.
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“We understand many Hong Kong athletes want to give a try but it may remain a dream for them.”
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