KENYA: ATHLETICS - Kenyans prepare for World Athletics championships in Moscow but without some top names

Record ID: 362662

  • Title: KENYA: ATHLETICS - Kenyans prepare for World Athletics championships in Moscow but without some top names
  • Date: 26th July 2013
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JULY 23, 2013) (REUTERS) TRAINING TRACK/ ATHLETES JOGGING AS COACH LOOKS ON COACH TALKING TO ATHLETE VARIOUS OF ATHLETES RUNNING NATIONAL ATHLETICS TEAM HEAD COACH SAMMY RONO TAKING ATHLETES THROUGH TRAINING RONO TAKING NOTES 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 1500M SILVER MEDALLIST SILAS KIPLAGAT, WHO HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY KENYAN OFFICIALS FROM THE LONDON DIAMOND GA
  • Embargoed: 10th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: General,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1YMUGGYW0CT1EWU1HGGWKCI7K
  • Story Text: Kenya's national track and field athletics team has started training for the world championships in Moscow in August, but without some top stars.
    Officials concerned about possible burnout have also withdrawn some competitors from the London Diamond Games on Friday and Saturday (July 26 and 27), including 2011 world championships 1500m silver medallist Silas Kiplagat.
    More than 40 athletes have been out on the track and field at the Moi international sports centre in Nairobi, apparently unfazed by news reports that the team has been weakened by injuries and withdrawals.
    Among those the squad will be without are 5000 and 10000m world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, who is taking a break and injured world and Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha.
    Kenya won 17 medals, including seven golds at the last world championships in Daegu in 2011, but few people expect such success in Moscow. The squad only won 11 medals, including two gold at the London Olympics in 2012.
    In the absence of some top athletes, the Kenya team now includes a crop of young athletes who are largely unfamiliar to the public and have relatively little experience, but are keen to compete.
    Head coach Sammy Rono believes that they will do well.
    Rono said having experienced athletes like 2008 Olympic 1500m champion Nancy Jebet Lagat will help encourage the first-timers.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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