The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beijing

Defending marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi's injury-forced pullout from the Beijing Games has made fellow Japanese Kosuke Kitajima more determined to win a second swimming gold medal here. "I feel sad to learn that an athlete capable of winning a medal cannot compete," said Kitajima who will defend his 200m breaststroke title on Thursday after retaining his 100m crown in a world record time on Monday.

"I will go full out to make up for that." Noguchi's no show, due to a tear in her left thigh muscle, has stunned marathon- mad Japan who are struggling to emulate their record haul of 37 Olympic medals, including 16 golds, from Athens.