Athletics coach Bii tips Etiang to win gold at WU20 event
Peter Bii, the coach of youngster Kamar Etiang has tipped the athlete to have a good outing during the World Under 20 Championships set for next month in Nairobi.
Bii yesterday told People Sport that the athlete had accepted that he will not be able to compete at the Tokyo Olympics Games and therefore shifted his focus to the junior event set to run between August 17 and 22 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Bii says the pain of Etiang seeing his Olympics dream dashed by anti-doping requirements as stipulated by the Athletics Integrity Unit will push him when he competes in the 1,500m.
“This is a guy who has competed and beaten even the world champion, having that experience in mind, I think he will have a very exciting Championships and who knows, probably win a gold medal,” said Bii.
Etiang, who came second behind Charles Simotwo in the 1,500m final at the national trials last month, had been in doubt for the Games since he had not undergone the three mandatory out-of-competition tests as required by the AIU.
Attempts by Athletics Kenya to have the runner exempted from this requirement so as to compete in Tokyo — subject to anti-doping tests between now and the competition date — were unsuccessful as AIU said it was not possible, world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, fourth during the trials has since replaced the youngster.
“It has taken alot of talking to convince the athlete that what happened is not his fault.
It is not his fault that Kenya is in category A of countries with high doping cases. It was painful for him considering going to the Olympics is the ultimate dream for any athlete.
However, he has accepted this verdict and wishes the rest of the team well as they head for the Games. He is a young man with a bright future,” added the tactician.
Etiang still with the Olympic bound team at the Kasarani Stadion hotel is yet to link up with the junior team currently at the Sports view hotel, that is however expected to happen after Sunday when the last of team Kenya will leave for Tokyo.
