CHINA: OLYMPICS BEIJING 2008: Japan's Kitajima hopes Phelps will stay away from breastroke

Record ID: 335127

  • Title: CHINA: OLYMPICS BEIJING 2008: Japan's Kitajima hopes Phelps will stay away from breastroke
  • Date: 14th August 2008
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 17, 2008) (REUTERS) JAPANESE SWIMMING DOUBLE GOLD MEDALLIST KOSUKE KITAJIMA KITAJIMA SIGNING HIS AUTOGRAPH CAMERAMEN KITAJIMA SITTING WITH JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOSUKE KITAJIMA, JAPANESE SWIMMING DOUBLE GOLD MEDALLIST IN 100M AND 200M BREASTSTROKE, SAYING: "(Michael) Phelps in breaststroke? That would be the last thing I'd like to se
  • Embargoed: 29th August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8T1PL50G3XAEFG0KNFG4UKJC9
  • Story Text: Michael Phelps's announcement that he might try "some other events" makes breaststroke king Kitajima jittery.
    Japan's breaststroke double gold medallist Kosuke Kitajima said on Sunday (August 17) he hopes he won't have to compete against Michael Phelps after the multi-record-breaking swimmer suggested he would try some other events.
    "Phelps in breaststroke? That would be the last thing I'd like to see. I hope not to see that happening. His achievements are just beyond description, and the whole world recognizes his ability. Personally, I have great respect for him. We are both athletes, but I'm also a fan of his. I was really hoping he would get all those eight medals. And he did. Being able to stand on the same podium as Phelps after the medley relay was indeed a great joy for me," Kitajima told journalists in Beijing.
    Earlier in the day, Phelps said he is considering putting himself to the test in some new events over the next four years, although he didn't specify which.
    Kitajima has won an unprecedented double-double in the Olympics breaststroke, winning the 100m and 200m races in Athens in 2004 and now in Beijing. He said he had been determined to win.
    "When I feel down, I feel down. When I feel strong, I feel strong.
    That's human nature. I think that athletes, like other people, have all kinds of emotions during training and competitions. I think I have been very stoic for this Olympics. The Olympics meant everything to me. I had a very strong feeling about this Olympics and that's how came to feel determined to win in this Olympics. To be honest, the 100 metres race was a very tough one. The fact that I was able to win that race -- part of it may have been a matter of luck, though -- impressed even myself. After that, I was able to stay very calm for the 200 metres race," said Kitajima.
    A native of Tokyo, Kitajima expressed his support for the Japanese capital's bid to host the 2016 Games.
    "I believe a lot of people will be able to share the joy of hosting an Olympics if the 2016 Games comes to Tokyo. I would like to help that happen," he said.
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