Kenya's Kemboi refuses to train in UK

“Bristol is so nice for sprinters but not good for middle and long distance runners,” said Kemboi.

For a man who had promised never to return if he did not win a medal in Beijing, the decision to jump into the plane heading for Nairobi must have been hard to make.

Kemboi left Nairobi on July 12 but after just one week in United kingdom, he has opted to come and make the final polish of his skills in Nairobi.

His returns gives credence to the fact that majority of the elite runners in camp in Nairobi stood their ground in shooting down the idea of them having a pre-Olympic training camp in Bristol. However, it piles pressure on the work the 20 officials are doing in UK while the bulk of the team is stuck in Nairobi.

Joseph Kinyua, the team manager of athletics team for the Olympics, confirmed seing Kemboi yesterday morning during breakfast at Kasarani, but was yet to get a full report from him on why he decided to return home.

“I met him at Kasarani today morning (yesterday) over breakfast. However, I did not get the time to sit down with him to update me on what happened and why he opted to come back to train in Nairobi.

“I had other commitments to sort out in regards to the team kit, while he was dashing off together with the others to Ngong for the morning training session. I will catch up with him later to give me the full picture of what happened,” said Kinyua.

Athletics Kenya (AK) has been at loggerheads with National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) over the pre-Olympic training camp. AK together with the athletes wanted to delay their departure for London as much as possible, while Nock felt it was right for the team to have a three week retreat in Bristol to sharpen their skills.

Athletics head coach Julius Kirwa said he has had one session with Kemboi at Ngong and expressed satisfaction he has not lost much.

“He is doing fine. He needs a little bit of close monitoring. He told me, it was hard for him to secure a place to do the long runs and that it was raining hard in London.

“I have also confirmed with our coaches in London and I believe the decision for us to remain behind was ideal,” said Kirwa.

Kenya team has since agreed with the officials it will be leaving on July 30 with the athletics programme expected to start on August 3. However, the opening ceremony will be on July 27.

Kenya’s contingent at London games will have 48 athletes in track and field, two boxers, two swimmers and one weightlifter.