Big casualties as Athletics Kenya names Games team
Olympics 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto and world 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot were the biggest casualties as Athletics Kenya named a provisional team for the Tokyo Games.
Kipruto, who is also a two-time world champion, dropped out of the steeplechase final after three laps at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on the third and final day of the national trials on Saturday
Cheruiyot faded on the home straight to finish fourth in the 1,500m and limped away to a medical tent.
Sources within AK indicate Cheruiyot will make the team with the federation likely to pull the wild card.
As for Kipruto, it remains to be seen whether he will be included in the team as the defending champion.
Bio-bubble
Questions are being asked about his state of mind following his arraignment in a court of law after he was accused of defiling a minor last November.
Also missing in the team is world 10,000m bronze medalist Rhonex Kipruto who failed to finish his race on Friday despite looking promising up to the final five laps before dropping out.
Another high profile omission is 37-year-old Vivian Cheruiyot. The Olympic champion in the 5,000m was hugely expected to compete in the marathon in Tokyo after quitting the track.
Kenya’s team is due to go into camp on Monday in Kasarani and will be kept confined in a bio-bubble because of the coronavirus pandemic.
All of the athletes will be tested for the virus before being allowed to join the camp.
