Controversy deepens over Neko's selection [Can a Japanese represent Cambodia in the London Olympics?]

Going for the glory: Comedian Neko Hiroshi, who obtained Cambodian nationality in a bid to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, takes part in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia on Nov. 16. AP / KYODO PHOTO

The Jiji-Daily Yomiuri
Japan
Apr. 17, 2012

MOSCOW--Cambodia's controversial decision to have a Japanese-born comedian represent the country in the men's marathon at the London Olympics took another twist when a native-born runner and rival ran a better time at Sunday's Paris Marathon.

Hem Bunting, who represented Cambodia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finished 42nd in Paris in a national-record 2 hours 23 minutes 29 seconds--nearly seven minutes better than Hiroshi Neko's best time.

Neko, whose real name is Kuniaki Takizaki, became a Cambodian citizen in order to realize his dream of running in the London Olympics.

"I don't know if I can go to London, but I still want to go," Bunting was reported as saying. "Neko is slower than me. It is not fair."

However, Cambodia Olympic Commitee secretary general Vath Chamroeun said that even though Bunting ran a superior time, he would not be selected for the Olympic team.

Bunting, who has run in numerous major meets for his country, had a falling out with the national athletics federation over the quality of training conditions in the Southeast Asian nation and left the national team last year.

Chamroeun said that without patching up the difficulties with the federation, Bunting has little chance of appearing in the Olympics.

Chamroeun has been a firm supporter of Neko, saying he would bring pride to the Cambodian people by competing at the Olympics.

The IAAF, the sport's governing body, is reportedly investigating the circumstances of Neko's change of nationality.

If Neko, who has not lived in Cambodia nor married a citizen, is deemed ineligible, Chamroeun hinted that an athlete from another event might be chosen.

Neither Neko nor Bunting's best time meets the Olympic qualifying standard of 2:18. In cases when a country has no athletes meeting the qualifying standards in any event, the national federation is allowed to enter one athlete in an event of its choosing.

Neko has drawn criticism both in Cambodia and Japan for taking a back door to the Olympics, as his career-best of 2:30:26 would not even come close to making the Japanese women's team.

Among those speaking out has been two-time Olympic marathon medalist Yuko Arimori, who plans charity marathons in Cambodia.

"It pains me to think of the young man whose spot on the team was taken by a Japanese person," Arimori told The Yomiuri Shimbun.

"Cambodian runners have to build their strength inside a poor training environment. I'd prefer that someone who's actually from there run for them."

Others like former marathon star Toshihiko Seko said Neko's inclusion on the Cambodian team could act a "bridge" between the two countries.

According to the Cambodia Daily website, Neko made a donation of between 20,000 dollars and 30,000 dollars, ostensibly to aid Cambodian athletes, at last June's Phnom Penh Half Marathon.

In Paris, the 26-year-old Bunting rewrote the national record of 2:25:20 set while winning a bronze medal at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games. He also won a silver in the marathon and bronze in the 5,000 meters at the 2007 SEA Games.

According to AP, Kenya's Stanley Biwott won the Paris Marathon in 2:05:12, breaking the meet record of 2:05.47 set by Kenyan Vincent Kipruto in 2009.

Ethiopia's Beyene Tirfi won the women's race in 2:21.40, topping Ethiopian Astede Bayisa's mark of 2:22.02 from two years ago.