history in Japan

         Track and field were introduced to Japan from Europe in early stages of Meiji.It is supposed that it was transmitted from the British teacher of the navy soldier college house as it wrote the front diary.Japan got an educational institution of navy (next navy soldier college house) in early stages of Meiji. And 22 instructors were employed from Europe for the navy education of Japan.
It is said that there was probably British teacher well versed in track and field in those 22.


         The Japan Association of Athletics Federations was founded in 1928.
Moreover, in the 9th Amsterdam Olympic Games of this year,  Mikio Oda  won the victory in record of 15 m 21 cm in the part of the boy's triple jump. And, in the woman's 800m part, Hitomi Kinue  won the silver medal.




         There is "track and field of Masters" for people who want to continue track and field even if it grows up. If it is a person aged 35 and over, anyone can register. Masters started in Britain in 1932. In Japan, it was held for the first time in Wakayama in 1978. And  Mikio Oda was made into the chairman and the Japanese Masters track-and-field union was established in April, 1980.


         At last, there are many players who are doing remarkable activity.
For example...

• Kouji Murofushi (the player of the hammer throw)
• Chisato Fukushima (a short-distance player)
• Ryuji Kashiwabara (The player of Toyo univercity who played an active part in Hakone ekiden
  )

and so on. I want Japanese players to play an active part in the world!

 The next topic is "about short distance".