Athletics Kenya announces provisional marathon team for Paris Olympics
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 04.12.23. | 21:28
Each of the categories will eventually be whittled down to five in each category with three competing and the other two going into the reserves
Athletics Kenya (AK) Director of Competitions, Paul Mutwii, announced on Monday that they had chosen ten athletes from each of the men's and women's categories to represent the country in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
Mutwii indicated that each category will be reduced to five at the end of January next year, with three competitors and two reserves.
He also revealed that the selection committee was influenced by the athletes' accomplishments in major marathon races throughout the world, particularly the World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City).
"We also considered the athletes' consistency, anti-doping requirements, discipline, willingness, and championship mentality and attitude." Mutwii is quoted as saying on Nation.
"You see, some athletes perform well with pacesetters, while others do not. "We have taken that into account as well," Mutwii said, adding that there is still room for any other athlete who proves to be better than those chosen.
Mutwii stated that in January, they will hold a meeting with those who have been chosen, as well as their sponsors, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), and any other relevant parties.
"We will also devise a training programme that will suit all of the athletes.We have a common camp strategy or the athletes train separately," Mutwii explained.
Kenya has dominated the Olympic marathon, winning both the men's and women's titles in the last two editions, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.
Kipchoge won both events, while the women's races were won by Jemimah Sumgong (2016) and Jepchirchir (2020).
Aside from Kiptum, the incumbent London and Chicago Marathon champion, and Kipchoge, the Berlin Marathon champion and 2019 global marathon bronze medalist Amos Kipruto have been named to the preliminary team.
Vincent Kipkemoi Ng'etich, who placed second in Berlin in 2:03:13, Benson Kipruto, who finished third in Boston and second in Chicago, and Geoffrey Kamworor, the three-time world half marathon champion, have also been mentioned.
Top of the lists is Jepchirchir, who finished third in the London Marathon in April before regaining her global half marathon championship for a hat-trick in Latvia in October.
Ruth Chepng'etich, the 2019 global marathon champion, defended her Nagoya Marathon title in March before finishing second in Chicago, Boston, and New York City Marathons.
Hellen Obiri, Rosemary Wanjiru, former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, 2022 world marathon silver medalist Judith Jeptum Korir, and Berlin runner-up Sheila Chepkiruri have all been considered.
Men
1.Kelvin Kiptum
2.Eliud Kipchoge
3.Vincent Kipkemoi Ng'etich
4.Timothy Kiplagat
5.Benson Kipruto
6. Bernard Kiprop Koech
7.Geoffrey Kamworor
8. Cyprian Kotut
9. Amos Kipruto
10. Titus Kipruto
Women
1. Ruth Chepng'etich
2.Rosemary Wanjiru
3.Joycilline Jepkosgei
4.Sheila Chepkirui
5.Peres Jepchichir
6. Judith Jeptum Korir
7.Selev Chepyego Kaptich
8. Hellen Obiri
9. Sharon Lokedi
10. Brigid Kosgei
