Team Kenya on the threshold of better performance

However, it is the athletes where all hopes are, what with David Rudisha’s 1:41.09 world record and world title to boot in the 800m. To send a warning shots to potential rivals in London, Rudisha ran 1:41.74, a US All Comers record at the adidas Grand Prix meeting in New York City last June. He also ran 1:42.12 at the Kenyan trials on June 23, which was the fastest ever at altitude.

Wilfred Bungei, who won the 800m gold medal in Beijing four years ago, thinks Rudisha may post a world record in London.

“An Olympic record is guaranteed, but then a world record is not a long shot,” said Bungei.

All the three leading times in 1,500m are held by Kenyans Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat and Nixon Chepseba. The three have dominated the metric mile since last year when Kiprop had the best time and a world title as well. He beat Kiplagat to second position in the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, while Chepseba won the event final at the Weltklasse Zurich to take the seasonal title.

The 3,000m Steeplechase is firmly a Kenyan event still. Even without the season’s fastest Paul Kipsiele Koech, world and former Olympic champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, reigning Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and newcomer Abel Mutai are expected to rule in the water and barrier race in London.

Marathon is also expected to go the Kenyan way, despite rumblings of discontent after world record holder Patrick Makau was left out of the team by selectors.

However, double world champion Abel Kirui, London Marathon winner Wilson Kipsang and Emmanuel Mutai can take the battle to Ethiopians, who boast the best times this year.

Women marathon runners are also in good shape, with Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat and Prisca Jeptoo leading the onslaught to better Catherine Ndereba’s silver in Athens and Beijing in 2004 and 2008.

For the first time, Kenya has a javelin thrower Julius Yego in the team for the Olympics. The All Africa Games winner wants to prove that he deserves the title Olympian.

Ethiopian challenge

There are doubts of medal performances in men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, which home runner Mo Farah and Ethiopians are expected to rule.

But if our men are not favourites there, Vivian Cheruiyot and Sally Kipyego, who are doubling in both events are outright medal candidates.

They also ave Joy Chepkurui, who will bolster their medal hunt chances. Pamela Jelimo, who became the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal, has regained her form, which saw her dominate the two-lap race in 2008 and will again have silver medallist from Beijing Janeth Jepkosgei in the team.

Although defending champion Nancy Jebet Lagat is not in the team, a victim of thigh injury, Hellen Obiri, Eunice Sum and teenager Faith Chepngetich are real medal contenders.

Rudisha bvwill also lead the 4x400m relay team, which has Alphas Kishoyan, Boniface Mwaresa and Vincent Koskei. Will they return Kenya to the sprint dominance that saw Robert Ouko, Julius Sang, Charles Asati and Naftali Nyamau win gold in Munich in 1972?