SHINCHI, Fukushima -- A Fukushima Prefecture town once destroyed by a giant tsunami is now on course to produce future Olympians.
The town of Shinchi on Saturday marked the opening of a new roller sports park with the nation's largest course for the new Olympic sport of BMX cycling on grounds that were devastated by a tsunami during the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.
The Shinchi Pump Track, which sources said is on a scale that meets criteria to host international events, was constructed within the town's Disaster Prevention Ryokuchi Park, which was built where houses once stood. Residents of those homes have since been relocated to higher ground.
A pump track is a man-made course that features wavy terrain and curved banks, and can be ridden continuously without pedaling. The Shinchi Pump Track encompasses an area of 5,000 square meters and includes three asphalt courses with a combined length of 555 meters.
It can be used for skateboards, kickboards and the like, as well as bicycles.
BMX (bicycle motocross) racing is particularly popular among youth, and its freestyle park event has been newly added to the Olympic program for the Tokyo Games.
"Continuing the memory of citizens who lived here, we hope this place will change into one that is lively and brings people together," Shinchi Mayor Takeshi Ohori said at the opening ceremony.
The pump track was open only to town residents on Saturday and Sunday, and will open to the general public from Monday.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
