Jelimo, Kibet chase gold

PHOTO | MOHAMMED AMIN

Pamela Jelimo sprints to victory in the 4x400m race during the Nairobi Province sprints, field and medrelays build up training at Nyayo National Stadium on January 25 2011. Jelimo has been named in Kenya's team set to compete at the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in Istanbul.

What you need to know:

  • Athletics Kenya names its strongest ever squad for next month’s World Indoor Championships in Turkey

Athletics Kenya on Wednesday named the country’s strongest team yet to the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships to be held in Istanbul next month, offering 22-year-old Olympic 800 metres champion Pamela Jelimo a chance to add some silverware to her collection.

Also in the team is World 5,000 metres silver medallist Sylvia Kibet, who will be hoping to shake off the bridesmaid tag after winning three straight silver medals at the last two outdoor World Championships (Berlin 2009 and Daegu 2011) and at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Kibet, whose sister Hilda Kibet has qualified to run for the Netherlands in the Olympic marathon, will compete in the 3,000m alongside Daegu World Championships 1,500m finalist, Hellen Obiri at the March 9-12 global competition.

Augustine Choge, one of Kenya’s most consistent middle-distance performers, has been offered a chance in the men’s 3,000m where he is joined by Edwin Soi who has been impressive on the cross country circuit in the build-up to the track season.

“This is the strongest team we have ever selected since the inception of the World Indoor championships,” Athletics Kenya’s public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, said.

Athletics Kenya’s Nairobi branch chairman, Barnaba Korir, will head the delegation that departs Nairobi on March 7.

Team: Men: 800m: Boaz Lalang, Timothy Kitum; 1,500m: Silas Kiplagat, Bethwel Birgen; 3.000m: Edwin Soi, Augustine Choge.
Women: 800m: Pamela Jelimo; 3,000m: Helen Obiri, Slyvia Kibet.