Japan’s broadcast of the men’s 4x100m is everything that’s great about track
The Japanese broadcast of the men's 4x100m relay is everything that's great about athletics at the Olympics (photo: IAAF).
The Japanese broadcast of the men’s 4x100m relay was everything that’s great about track and field at the Olympics. The commentators made the already-exciting one-lap relay even better with their vivid commentary.
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Team Japan finished second in the men’s 4x100m relay on Friday night and surely had fans at the edge of their seats as they were in the lead at one point. The anchor runner, Aska Cambridge, was side-by-side with the great Usain Bolt with 100m to go. Cambridge held on for second with Canada earning the bronze after the U.S. was disqualified.
【コラム】“北京の銅超え”遂げた400mリレー 日本男子は「37秒台の新時代」へ(写真:Enrico Calderoni/アフロスポーツ) https://t.co/OrmDn9Zw0y #リオ五輪 #Rio2016 #陸上 pic.twitter.com/DOdJ5AMyBE
— スポーツナビ (@sportsnavi) August 20, 2016
Japan’s time of 37.60 was an area (Asian) record in the men’s 4x100m relay. They finished 0.33 seconds off of Jamaica’s time as Canada set a national record for third (37.64). Japan’s team consisted of Ryota Yamagata, Shota Iizuka, Yoshihide Kiryu and Cambridge in that order. Canada’s team was Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse.
No Japanese athlete made the men’s 100m final individually. However, the team had great handoffs in the relay which helped them run such a quick time.
?? + ?? + ?? + ?? = #Silver #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/NvH5qFnMvi
— SPIKES (@spikesmag) August 20, 2016
As the race progressed and Japan came closer and closer to securing a medal, the commentator’s became increasingly excited. On the final exchange, it was clear that Japan was going to medal resulting in peak excitement among the Japanese announcers.
Fortunately, there’s quality footage of the entire race.
Japanese broadcast of the men’s 4x100m relay
#オリンピック【陸上男子400mリレー決勝】山縣亮太→飯塚翔太→桐生祥秀→ケンブリッジ飛鳥とバトンを繫いだ日本チームの走り。アンカーにボルトが控える4レーン ジャマイカのすぐ隣り、5レーンを走るのが日本チームです。#Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/iRSH1CADTM
— とど兄ちゃん (@musicapiccolino) August 20, 2016
The Japanese team also deserves a shoutout for their pink, Asics kits. Canadian Running named their uniforms one of the best at the Rio Olympics.
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Upon first sight, it appeared that Japan may have been in jeopardy of disqualification on the anchor leg of the relay. Cambridge stepped on the line between lanes. However, if a material advantage is not gained, and there is no interference with other runners, stepping on the line on a straightaway is allowed. It’s when an athlete steps on the line on a curve that it becomes an issue.
Canadian broadcast of the men’s 4x100m relay
ICYMI | #JAM wins #Gold in the 4x100m relay, #CAN takes #Bronze after #USA was DQ'd https://t.co/y6vqnPaSOr https://t.co/qPlGXrIE7N
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 20, 2016
Hopefully we will hear more from the announcers from Japan with the penultimate day of action taking place Saturday. Tomorrow is the closing ceremony with the day being kicked off with the men’s marathon.
RELATED: Canadians react to record-setting, third-place run by 4x100m team.