Virginia Nyambura to miss New York Diamond event

What you need to know:

  • Sang said they will try and seek permission from Athletics Kenya (AK) to exempt her from the Nationals due July 2-4 so as to compete in Lausanne on July 9.
  • Nyambura hit the headlines when she won the opening leg of the 2015 Diamond League in Doha on May 15 in a world lead time of 9:21.51 by virtue of being a pacesetter.
  • Nyambura’s absence now gives Ethiopians an opportunity to claim their first this season since Kiyeng and Chepkurui will also not be in the race.

Kenya’s Virginia Nyambura’s dream for a hat trick at the New York Diamond League on Saturday will not happen after she failed to travel for the event.

Nyambura’s coach Alex Sang said her travelling documents had some hitch that saw her being turned away in Amsterdam on her way to New York.

“We thought she would still travel with the visa she used when she went for the World Relays but unfortunately they had to bar her from going to the US in Amsterdam,” said Sang. “They required P-1 transit visa but she had the C-1.”

Sang said they will try and seek permission from Athletics Kenya (AK) to exempt her from the Nationals due July 2-4 so as to compete in Lausanne on July 9.

“The two events will fall almost at the same time. If they will give us the permission well and good if not we shall then focus on Monaco on July 17,” said Sang.

“Nyambura is focused on winning the Diamond League Series this season besides flying the national flag high at the World Championships,” he added.

Nyambura hit the headlines when she won the opening leg of the 2015 Diamond League in Doha on May 15 in a world lead time of 9:21.51 by virtue of being a pacesetter.

Nyambura would finish second to All Africa Games champion Hyvin Kiyeng, clocking personal best 9:15.75 in Rome on June 4. Kiyeng won the race with a world lead of 9:15.08.

However, Nyambura would strike a double with victory in Birmingham in 9:24.01 on June 7. Nyambura beat Kiyeng to second place in 9:25.20 as compatriot World silver medallist Lydia Chepkurui settled third in 9:26.54.

Nyambura’s absence now gives Ethiopians an opportunity to claim their first this season since Kiyeng and Chepkurui will also not be in the race. The 2014 Series champion Ayalew Hiwot leads compatriots Sofia Assefa and Hiro Neda in the race.

RUDISHA COMEBACK

However, Olympic champion and world 800m records holder David Rudisha makes a comeback in the big stage after he sustained a leg injury while competing in 600m at the IAAF Challenge in Ostrava two weeks ago.

Rudisha, who has season best 1:44.94, will face homeboys Robby Andrews (1:46.83) and Matthew Centrowitz (1:46.55) among others.

In the absence of World and Olympic 800m champion Eunice Sum, 2007 World champion Janeth Jepkosgei from Kenya will be seeking her first win in many years in women’s 800m race.

Jepkosgei teams up with Viola Lagat as they come up against American World Junior champion Ajee Wilson (US), who pushed Sum to the limit in Eugene, and World bronze medallist Brenda Martinez.

Fresh from winning in Birmingham, Olympic 5,000m bronze medallist Thomas Longosiwa leads compatriots Nixon Chepseba and Fredrick Kiptoo in men’s 5,000m race.

The race has Doha 3,000m winner Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet and Dejen Gebremeskel from Ethiopia.