Marathon runner Noguchi ready to announce retirement

Mizuki Noguchi, the winner of the women’s marathon gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, has decided to retire, athletics sources said Thursday.

The 37-year-old Noguchi, who failed to qualify for this summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics after finishing 23rd at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon last month, is set to officially announce her decision at a news conference on Friday, according to the sources.