Hi-tech helps Japan fast-track to top

Japan took the fast track to Olympic glory in Athens, a hi-tech plan for success helping them triple their gold medal total from Sydney.

Japan took the fast track to Olympic glory in Athens, a hi-tech plan for success helping them triple their gold medal total from Sydney seven years ahead of schedule.

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The Japanese tied their record number of gold medals and were awarded a 16th on Sunday after hammer thrower Koji Murofushi was promoted from silver.

Original winner Adrian Annus of Hungary was stripped of the gold for missing a drugs test.

Japan were fifth behind the United States, China, Russia and Australia.

In 2001 the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) launched a so-called "golden plan" in a bid to double their total of five gold medals from Australia by the 2012 Games.

"We are ahead of the curve," JOC delegation chief Tsunekazu Takeda told reporters. "We had a 10-year plan but we have met our targets in just three years. We're delighted."

Japan's 16 gold medals matched their achievement as hosts of the 1964 Tokyo Games. They won five in Sydney. Their overall medal count of 37 is a Japanese record, surpassing the 32 they won at the boycott-hit 1984 Los Angeles Games.

In Athens, Japan won a record eight judo titles -- five by women as they doubled their previous best total in the Japanese martial art.

PINT-SIZED NOGUCHI

But arguably the most celebrated gold was that of Mizuki Noguchi, the pint-sized women's marathon runner whose brave victory left pre-race favourite Paula Radcliffe in tears.

There were further gold medals in swimming, wrestling and gymnastics for Japan, who have already started planning for the 2008 Games in Beijing.

"We have taken a big step forward for the Japanese Olympic movement," said Takeda. "We will revise our long-term plan now and come up with new golden plan."

Japan invested in hi-tech methods to get results in Athens, building a sports science institute. A national training centre will be completed next year.

"Japan cannot afford to stand still," insisted Takeda. "The world of sport is advancing all the time and we need to make sure we keep Japan at the top."

For all their success, Japan still have some way to go to catch China, who closed the final day with 32 gold medals.

Only the United States, with 35, had more than China. However, Japan reclaimed second spot in Asia from South Korea, who won nine.