Kiprop should have kept world record bid secret
Kenya's Asbel Kiprop celebrates after winning the men's 800m event during the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League competition at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on July 5, 2014. PHOTO | MIGUEL MEDINA
What you need to know:
- Hicham El Guerrouj’s record (3:26.00), which he was chasing, has stood for more than 16 years and it is not the kind of thing you wake up one morning and declare you are going to break.
- I wonder what was going through Kiprop’s head, first when he was hyping his world record bid, and how he felt after not only failing to get the mark but also falling to compatriot Silas Kiplagat who won the race with a blistering 3:27.64 world leading personal best.
Asbel Kiprop’s failed 1,500m world record attempt in the Monaco Diamond League reminded me of the old adage that goes “do not count your chicks before they are hatched”.
Yes, perhaps Kiprop should have learnt some lessons from world 800m recorder David Rudisha, who went for a win in the 2012 Olympics and got more than he bargained for— a world record.
My point is that one doesn’t need to hype a world record attempt. In any case, If you go for a win and end up with a record it will always count. This is better because fans leave satisfied. It is not like when you promise something and deliver nothing.
Personally, I had my doubts over Kiprop’s readiness for the world record considering his mixed performances this season. It is not a secret that Kiprop has blown hot and cold this season and to be honest, the news about his record attempt took me by surprise.
PERSONAL BEST
This is not because I don’t believe in his capability but because the timing of the record was not just right. Kiprop needs to know that hyping a world record attempt is counter productive, especially when you fall short.
Hicham El Guerrouj’s record (3:26.00), which he was chasing, has stood for more than 16 years and it is not the kind of thing you wake up one morning and declare you are going to break.
I wonder what was going through Kiprop’s head, first when he was hyping his world record bid, and how he felt after not only failing to get the mark but also falling to compatriot Silas Kiplagat who won the race with a blistering 3:27.64 world leading personal best. From my experience, setting world records needs a lot of hard work, patience, focus and to some extend secrecy.
In fact, when you make a public announcement, you immediately become your rivals’ target. What Kiprop did was like promising people a party only for the feast to backfire.
I guess lessons have been learnt and next time Kiprop will just give us a surprise.
Barnabas Korir is AK Nrb chairman ([email protected])
