Takahashi would swap gold to run 2016 Games

TOKYO: Japan's former marathon queen Naoko Takahashi would swap her Olympic gold medal for the chance to compete at the 2016 Games if they are awarded to Tokyo.

As her medal gathers dust in a cupboard at home, the 2000 Sydney Olympic champion says she misses the adrenaline rush of competitive athletics and even her brutal training regimen.

"Most days I forget I even ran in the Olympics," the 37-year-old told Reuters. "The gold medal is in the back of a drawer somewhere. I never even peep at it."