Kenya plans to include more steeplechase runners in the national athletic team that is preparing for August's Olympic Games in Beijing.
Chef De Mission David Okeyo announced the plans late Wednesday, saying that more trials might be carried out this weekend so as to have a good number of athletes representing Kenya at least in every race particularly the 3,000-meter steeplechases and marathon.
This year's team hopes to erase the memories of the Athens Olympics where Kenya finished with a paltry seven medals having collected only one gold medal in their traditional turf, the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Okeyo said the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) was seeking the International Olympic Committee's approval to bring on board a standby male steeplechaser.
"Jumping the hurdles in steeplechase can be very tricky. We want to have one more runner in the men's 3,000m steeplechase, so that in case ofan injury, we will have a ready replacement," Okeyo said at the Olympic training camp in Nairobi. Deputy coach Peter Mathu also said he was not convinced with the jumping techniques of 3,000m steeplechase sensation Veronica Wanjiru Nyaruai.
Mathu fell short of terming the athlete's style pathetic. Mathu said he would now help the teenager perfect her running ahead of next month's Beijing Games. Nyaruai shot to prominence in 2005 after being honored as the most promising local sportswoman.
The coaches have been impressed by the way Nyaruai runs, however, her tactics are worrying when it comes to water jump and the hurdles and this could impact negatively on her in Beijing, hesaid.
"We have noted, since she joined the camp, that her jumping is not up to date," he said. "She is running so well and has increased speed," he said.
Nyaruai finished fifth behind Ruth Bosibori (9:48.78), Eunice Jepkorir (9:51.28) Mercy Wanjiku (10:06.94) and Regina Jerotich (10:12.06) in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the Olympic qualifiers. However, she was given a wildcard entry by Athletics Kenya. Mathu promised to fine-tune the athlete before the Olympics because she is a "gold" medal prospect.
The coach also said Nyaruai did so well during the Olympics trials but was tied down by the hurdles. "This afternoon will see me refining Nyaruai and her jumping techniques. She only needsa bit of dedication," said Mathu.
The men's steeplechase team has Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto and Richard Matee long. Kemboi is Athens Olympics steeplechase champion, while Kipruto is the reigning 3 000m SC World champion. Matelong is the current African champion.
There is nothing unusual about the request because earlier in 2008, two runners - World Marathon champion Luke Kibet and 2006 Boston Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo Sitienei - were drafted to the Kenya marathon standby list.
Kibet was drafted as a replacement for London Marathon winner Martin Lel, World half marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru and Boston marathon Robert Cheruiyot, should any of the trio sustain an injury ahead of the Games.
The women's marathon team comprises four-time Boston marathon champion Catherine Ndereba, Paris marathon winner Martha Komu and Salina Kosgei. The team will be captained by former World Indoor Champion Wilfred Bungei.
(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2008)