Sports Magazine
Athletics assured, Kenya casts net wider for medals
People rest at an under construction bus-stop adorned with an advertisement for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last weekend. Kenya will rely on boxing, swimming and athletics for medals at the games. AFP I NATION
Posted Sunday, September 5 2010 at 14:44
In Summary
- Twelve-edition veteran nation to enter 120 athletes in 14 different disciplines in Delhi, including those the country is not known for
Boxing and swimming will each have 10 slots while athletics has been given 53. That explains why the blooming of great athletes has been witnessed in track and field.
In Delhi, there will be little pressure on the 2007 World 800m women’s champion Jepkosgei when she steps on the track.
Having burst to the world scene in 2006 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to end Mozambique’s iconic Maria “Maputo Express” Mutola’s reign in the two-lap race, the “Eldoret Express” proved her victory was no fluke in walking through the folklore and winning Kenya’s first middle distance gold medal in women’s competition at the 2007 Osaka World Championship.
She followed it up with silver in the Beijing Olympics, where she was edged out by compatriot Pamela Jelimo, and ended up second to lose her world crown to South Africa’s prodigy Caster Semenya in Berlin last year.
Looking to get her revenge
Jepkosgei is now looking to get her revenge against the South African as the two meet for the second time in as many attempts this season. The Kenyan might have got victory against Semenya in Brussels to win the Samsung Diamond League, but for her to successfully defend her title she will need more inspiration.
Other champions who will be expecting to successfully defend their titles include World 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi.
However, there was no room for Lucy Kabuu, winner of the women’s 10,000m, Alex Kipchirchir (800m), Augustine Choge (5,000m) and Isabella Ochichi (5,000m), all of whom were dropped because of loss of form. Jepkosgei was named in a strong delegation for the track and field.
NOC-K yet to get training venue
Team Kenya is expected to move to training camp this week although NOC-K is yet to settle on the venue, with Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, still undergoing renovation.
The disciplines that Kenyans will be competing in during the Delhi Games include rugby, boxing, swimming, cycling, badminton, squash, weight lifting, wrestling, tennis, table tennis, shooting, bowling and Paralympics.
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