Kenya picks 47 athletes for Beijing

Kenya selected a team of 47 athletes for the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships set for Beijing from August 22 to 30. The selections came after a two-day riveting action that was marked with bruised egos and realised dreams as some Olympic and world champions saw their dreams go up in smoke.

Six athletes — Asbel Kiprop (1,500m), Ezekiel Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto (3,000m steeplechase), Viola Kibiwott, Janeth Jepkosgei (800m) and Edwin Soi (5,000m) — return to Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing where they competed at the 2008 Olympics.

Jepkosgei, who will make her third stab at the worlds, will be longing to improve on the silver medal in 800m, while Asbel wants to prove his mettle, having struck silver before he was elevated to gold after Algeria’s Rashid Ramzi tested positive for EPO.

World 3000m champion Caleb Mwangangi did not compete and was handed a wild card. Mercy Cherono, who was second in 1,500m got a wild card in 5,000m. Olympic 10,000m silver medalist, Sally Kipyego, who suffered stomach cramps during Friday’s 10,000m, was also included in the team.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta were at the stadium in Kasarani in Nairobi to witness the selection. The president wished the team well and asked them to invoke the Moscow Spirit and make the country proud.

“You have been selected through merit and I hope you will make us proud. I was in Moscow with you and I appreciated the spirit and hope you will do well again,” said President Kenyatta.

Kenya team are: 400m —Joy Sakari, Maurine Chelegat, 800m - Eunice Sum, Janeth Jepkosgei, 1500m - Faith Chepng’etich, Nancy Jepkemoi, Viola Lagat, 3,000m steeplechase - Ivy Kiyeng, Roselyne Chepngetich, Virginia Nyambura, 5,000m - Viola Kibiwott, Irene Chemutai, Mercy Cherono, 10,000m - Vivian Cheruiyot, Betsy Saina, Sally Kipyego, Marathon - Edna Kiplagat, Jemima Jelegat, Hella Kiprop, Vaseline Jepkesho.
Men: Javelin - Julias Yego, 400m - Elphas Kishoyan, 800m - Ferguson Rotich, David Rudisha, Alfred Kipketer, 1,500m - Asbel Kiprop, Silas Kiplagat, Elijah Matonei, 3,000m SC - Ezekiel kemboi, Jairus Birech, Conceslus Kipruto, Brimin Kipruto, 5,000m - Edwin Soi, Emmanuel Kipsang, Caleb Mwangangi, 10,000m - Geoffrey Kamworor, Bedan karoki, Paul Tanui, Marathon - Wilson Kipsang, Dennis Kimetto, Mark Korir.