The Athletics Kenya has named twenty athletes provisionally in both men and women categories that will be picked to represent Kenya in the Olympics next year.
The Athletics Kenya Director of Competitions Paul Mutwii has said that each of the categories will be narrowed down to five in each category. Among the five, three will compete and two will be reserves at the end of January next year.
Among the major names selected include Kelvin Kiptum, Eliud Kipchoge, Peres Jichirchir, Hellen Obiri among others.
According to Mutwii, the Athletics Kenya had a selection committee that considered various aspects in the selection of the team. Among the considerations made are; world rankings in this year’s marathons, athlete’s perfomances in major marathons, consistency, doping requirements, discipline, willingness, championship mentality and attitude of the athletes.
Mutwii also said that there is still room for any other additional athlete apart from those selected to be considered. This he said they will continue monitoring other athletes to ensure fairness.
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The Athletics Kenya will however meet the selected athletes with their sponsors in January to discuss the details and plan for a training programme that will suit all the athletes. The commission will also come up with a common camp strategy or the athletes’ separate training programme.
Kipchoge and Kiptum have been on the talk lately with Kiptum breaking Kipchoge’s world record in the recent Chicago Marathon. The two will be expected to team up to represent Kenya in the upcoming Olympics with tough rivalry expected.
Provisional Squad Selected By Athletics Kenya.
Men
- Kelvin Kiptum
- Eliud Kipchoge
- Vincent Kipkemoi Ng’etich
- Timothy Kiplagat
- Benson Kipruto
- Bernard Kiprop Koech
- Geoffrey Kamworor
- Cyprian Kotut
- Amos Kipruto
- Titus Kipruto
Women
- Ruth Chepng’etich
- Rosemary Wanjiru
- Joycilline Jepkosgei
- Sheila Chepkirui.
- Peres Jepchirchir
- Judith Jeptum
- Seley Chepyego
- Hellen Obiri
- Sharon Lokedi
- Brigid Kosgei
This will be a total of 20 selected team that will be reduced to 10 with five in each gender.