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Athletics: Japanese women get 4x400 relay Olympic berth+
TOKYO, July 11 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Japan has obtained a berth in the women's 4x400-meter relay for next month's Beijing Olympics, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations said Friday.
The JAAF received word of Japan's qualification from the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Asami Tanno, 22, Mayu Kida, 25, Satomi Kubokura, 26, and Sayaka Aoki, 21, will make the trip to Beijing.
"I am happy I can be one of the members of this team," said Tanno, owner of the national record at 400 meters. "We want to work together to set a national record."
It is the first time that a team from Japan will appear in the 4x400 relay since the event made its debut at the 1972 Munich Games.
Japanese women will make their first appearance in a relay event in 44 years after competing in the 4x100 relay on home soil at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
