By Xinhua,
Madrid : Spanish marathon medal hopeful Chema Martinez says that the heat and humidity in Beijing will be an advantage to Asian runners.
Before setting off from Spain, Martinez insisted that heat and humidity would be a problem for him in the Olympic Games.
“At the moment I am tired, but I think we have made the right decision to travel so early,” Martinez said after arriving in Beijing as part of the first Spanish expedition to Olympics.
“The conditions are going to be a big factor. That is why I have got here a month beforehand. So I don’t suffer like I did in (2007 World Championships) Osaka.”
He said Asian runners might have an advantage in these conditions.
“I think there could be a surprise with an Asian runner, who may not be among the favourites, like the Japanese, who I suppose are more used to the conditions and who will have an advantage.”
“Of course the Kenyans are always on a higher level. I will have to fight hard to keep on their heels,” he said.