EME News-Kenyan Marathon Team Announced! from Alfons Juck, Commentary by Larry Eder

The announcement of the Kenyan team for Beijing in the Olympic marathon was made in Nairobi earlier this morning. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot was rewarded for his commanding Boston win, and London stars, Martin Lel and Samuel Wanjiru with World Champ Luke Kibet and William Kipsang, the Rotterdam winner as reserves.
A great team for Kenya! However, the marathon in the Olympics is a strange bird, and it requires a certain amount of luck as well as different skills than winning a big city race. We shall see how this team fares in Beijing!

EME NEWS (APR 23, 2008) FLASH
Kenyan Marathon Team named
NAIROBI (KEN): No surprises in Kenyan marathon Olympic team which was announced today by Athletics Kenya. Men trio is as expected Boston winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and top two from London Martin Lel and Samuel Wanjiru. As reserves were named world champion Luke Kibet and Rotterdam winner William Kipsang. Reigning world champion Catherine Ndereba leads the women part with fourth from London Salina Kosgei and Paris winner Martha Komu. Here the reserve is third from Boston Rita Jeptoo. For Kipkoech Cheruiyot first ever appearance in Kenyan vest at global stage. Except of Ndereba all will debut at Olympic Games.
Interestingly Kenya never won olympic marathon gold so far. Three silvers by Douglas Wakiihuri in 1988, Eric Wainaina in 2000 and Catherine Ndereba in 2004 is the best achievement.
—
EME NEWS is news service relating to the sport of athletics. It is published on daily basis with additional updates, as required. Copyright is held by Alfons Juck, Perinvest SK, a.s., Krikova 10, 82107 Bratislava, Slovakia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The redistribution and/or direct reproduction of material from EME NEWS is prohibited unless permission is given by c Perinvest SK (such as being included in a subscription agreement).Email to respond: ajuck@rainside.sk

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
View all posts