Japan first sent a team to the Games in 1912, but there were no swimmers in their team that first year.

In those days, the Games were still very much centred on Europe and North America but International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Baron Pierre de Coubertin was very keen to extend his philosophy of Olympism wider afield to the Americas and Asia.

By coincidence the French ambassador in Tokyo was his childhood friend Auguste Gérard. It was a suggestion from Gérard that prompted the IOC to recruit a Japanese member.

When the IOC gathered in Berlin for its Session in May 1909, the minutes recorded that “The Committee studied the candidature of Mr. Jigoro Kano, Director of the Tokyo Higher Normal School and founder of the Jiu-Jitsu Institute, and also known for his work in swimming and gymnastics.”

This had the support of the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Count Jutaro Komura and Baron Ichiro Montono, who was the Japanese Ambassador in St Petersburg.

“The Committee decided to nominate Mr. Kano member for Japan, and elected him unanimously.”

In June, Coubertin wrote to Kano to let him know that he had become the first IOC member in an Asian country.

It is a measure of how long letters took to reach their destination in those days, that it was not until mid September that Kano responded.

“I had already been informed by the French Ambassador, Monsieur Gérard, that the Comité International Olympique had requested His Excellency to nominate a gentleman of Japan interested in the work and object of the above society, as a member for Japan, and it is with genuine pleasure that I received your communication of my having been unanimously elected.”

Kano set about organising a Japanese amateur sports organisation. Recognition of the Japanese Olympic Committee was soon forthcoming.

This meant that Japanese competitors were able to take part in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. Sprinter Yahiko Mishima and distance runner Shizo Kanakuri were chosen to represent Japan.

They made the journey to Sweden by boat and rail. It was no small undertaking. The voyage took over a fortnight and both tried to keep in shape by running on board the ship. When they landed, the journey continued by train. It is said that at each station, they leapt out and did a few exercises before reboarding to continue the journey.

“The Japanese representatives have little chance of winning any event but they are receiving sympathetic support from all. Japanese athletes have a great deal to learn to perfect themselves in scientific training”, wrote the Japan Times.

Meanwhile, the IOC gathered for their session. The minutes recorded how “Coubertin bade welcome to our new colleague Monsieur Jigoro Kano.”

It was the first time the two men had met face-to-face.

On the day of the Opening Ceremony, the Japanese party set out for the stadium.

They “drove to the stadium in an automobile accompanied by many Japanese diplomatic representatives and enthusiasts."

Kano himself marched in the opening ceremony in full dress suit alongside Heizo Omori, the team manager. Japanese reporters described the scene as one of “impressive grandeur and enthusiasm.”

“The little file of athletes following the flag of the rising sun got a warm round of applause”, said the report in the New York Times.

Both competitors wore sports gear. The Japan Times described them as “dressed in white uniforms with the emblem of sun on their breasts. Both carried national emblems.”

In fact Mishima carried the flag. Kanakuri bore the name-plate on which was written “Nippon”.

In those days it was common for another member of the team to do this. Now the bearers are always provided by the organising committee.

The ceremony was held relatively early in the day so there was plenty of time afterwards for the competition to begin. This included the heats of the 100 metres.

Unfortunately it soon became clear that Mishima was carrying an injury to his right ankle sustained in training.

“The injury however will not keep him out of the races. He has not been diverted by this misfortune and he will fight for all he is worth for the laurels. His already excellent showing in the practices inspire hope in spite of this severe handicap”, said the Japan Times.

Mishima did not progress beyond the heats of the 100m but the press were sympathetic. He “lost the honour by a small fraction of time.”

Despite his injury, there was speculation that he was planning to enter one of the swimming events. In fact he did not, but he did compete in both 200m and 400m although once again he failed to advance beyond the heats.

Nonetheless his place in history was secure as the first Olympian from Japan.

Greater things were expected of Kanakuri who lined up for the marathon, which in 1912 was contested over a distance of 40.2 kilometres - just under 25 miles. He had reportedly recorded a time of 2 hours 30min but this had not been officially unratified.

The Japanese press were hopeful. “As Foreign athletes are suffering from the heat more, Kanakuri warrants the hope that he may make a creditable showing.”

The Asahi newspaper reported that “Kanakuri, the Japanese champion was in high spirits.”

The runners left the Stockholm stadium. There was support around the course by Japanese supporters.

“Despite the enthusiastic encouragement of the spectators, he dropped out of the race midway and abandoned the race. It is not clear whether he did so because of the heat or illness due to the weather.”

The story later emerged that he had withdrawn from the race at the 30km point. A local Swedish family had offered him refreshment. Some stories even say that he had fallen asleep there. It seems as though he did not advise the officials of his withdrawal from the race. He returned quietly and shamefacedly to Japan.

Though he also took part in both the Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924 Games, the story of his Olympic marathon career had a strange postscript which came long after his competitive career had ended.

In 1967, aged 76, he was invited back to Sweden, ostensibly as part of celebrations for the 55th anniversary of the Stockholm Games.

By now, Kanakuri was revered as a leading figure in Japanese athletics and had been instrumental in the establishment of the Ekiden long-distance relay races.

He was taken to the Stockholm Olympic Stadium where his 1912 race had begun.

“I feel in fine shape. This is a long nourished dream of mine that has come true.”

Amid great fanfare he finally crossed the line.

His time was recorded somewhat lightheartedly as 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds.