Virtual Olympics | Ikuyo Kaneko (Dean of the Graduate School of Media and Governance)
2008.07.31
Keio Juku High School has made it to the summer Koshien tournament. It's a remarkable achievement, having won the North Kanagawa tournament, one of the most competitive districts in the country. As a child, I was an ardent Giants fan, but I eventually became an anti-fan, and now I don't have much interest in baseball. However, I definitely want to watch Keio High School's games at Koshien. Even if they don't win the championship, I hope they won't be eliminated in the first round like last time and that we can enjoy at least a few of their games at Koshien.
Speaking of which, there are fewer professional baseball broadcasts on TV these days. On the other hand, both men's and women's golf are on almost every week. I imagine that golf-loving fathers—though I can't help but think that a professional golfer's play is technically of no use to an amateur—watch while picturing themselves making a nice shot on the screen.
Despite my snide remarks, I myself almost never miss a marathon broadcast on TV. When I was teaching at the University of Wisconsin in my 20s and 30s, I used to run almost every day in the beautiful, lake-filled city of Madison, but I completely stopped after returning to Japan. When I was the head of the Yochisha (elementary school), a promise I made to the children prompted me to start running full marathons at the age of 50, and I have run one every year since. Just like the fathers who watch Ryo Ishikawa and Sakura-chan on TV golf programs, I watch the running of Mizuki Noguchi and Reiko Tosa, putting myself in their shoes and watching with sweaty palms, even though it's of no practical use to me.
To give you an idea of the difference between a world-class marathon runner and a mere amateur runner like me, around the time Mizuki Noguchi is breaking the finish tape, I'm just about reaching the halfway point. So, I boast to people, "That's why my marathon is twice as amazing as Mizuki Noguchi's."
And so, what I'm most looking forward to in the Olympics is the women's marathon. (Still, I really wish Q-chan could have been in it...)
(Date of publication: 2008/07/31)