The Irish athletics Team in Matsue for the Beijing Olympics Pre-Training Camp.

Koizumi Yakumo

The Irish athletes who have qualified to compete in the Beijing Olympics will hold their Pre-Training camp in Matsue City.
This will be their second time in Mastue as held a training camp here last year in preparation for the world athletics championships. They are scheduled to arrive in two groups on the 4th and the 7th of August and be here until the 18th.
The writer, Koizumi Yakumo can be said to have a big influence behind the athletes holding their Pre-Training camp here.
Koizumi Yakumo came to Matsue in 1890 and wrote many books such as'Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan', where he introduced Matsue to the world. Koizumi Yakumo spent his early years in Ireland. It was because of this that friendly relations between Ireland and Matsue began with official visits from the Mayor and the ambassador of Ireland along with putting on events that teach the people about Ireland.
When the Irish athletic team came for the Pre-Training camp last year, the head coach talked about Matsue stating that 'Matsue is a quiet peaceful town, I am glad that it has relations with Ireland'. Also just before the athletes left Matsue he stated that 'Not only is the scenery in Matsue breathtaking but the training facilities, food and accommodation environment were top notch, which helped get the athletes condition to 100% for the competition. He followed this by further stating that 'The team would be happy to come back to Matsue next year and prepare for the Beijing Olympics'.
Then we turned that statement into a reality, as the Pre-Training camp is set to start next week. We also plan to give you updates on the status of the athletes here on the Matsue Tourism Newsletter during the Pre-Training camp Please feel free to visit this website dedicated to the Pre-Training camp.
http://beijing2008.city.matsue.shimane.jp/index.html