Cycling-A national passion but Japan still seeks golden moment in keirin
Yuka Kobayashi is the first female Japanese cyclist to compete at the Olympics in a keirin. The keirin is a national sport in Japan and a $10 billion gambling industry. It is legal to bet on keirs in the country. There are about 50 ke irins velodromes around the nation. Participants must attend the Japan Bicycle Racing School.
Keirin made its Olympic debut in 2000. It was added to the UCI's world championships programme in 1980. Keirin has only won one medal in Japan, Kiyofumi Nagai's bronze in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Chris Hoy attended the keirin school in 2005. He won gold medals in the event at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Japan's keiririn team is aiming to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 Games. Yuta Wakimoto begins on Saturday in men's competition. Yudai Nitta will also take part in race. The team coach Benoit Vetu believes they are strong enough to make it.
