Spate of withdrawals — including that of superstar Usain Bolt — might have hurt the Commonwealth Games, but the athletes from the African nation can salvage some of the gloss.
Never mind the ones who missed out — athletics is still the showpiece event of any multi-sport event. And despite the withdrawals of some high profile names, the start of the track and field events on Thursday should still attract interest. The Kenyans are here in force, and going by the quality of their contingent in the longer-distance events, the crowd should see some world-class talent.
Peter Mathu, head coach of Kenya’s athletics team, even claimed it was the country’s best ever lineup for a Commonwealth Games.
“We have never taken a team like this before,” Mathu was quoted as saying. “In recent times we have not sent strong teams to the CWG because the competition is usually held in October and by that time our athletes are fatigued. This time the runners have sacrificed their rest period to participate in the Games.”
With three Olympic champions and three world champions, Kenya does seem to be less squeamish about sending their best, unlike some of the other countries. The country interestingly has the honour of the longest unbroken streak in athletics at the CWG - having won the 3,000m steeplechase every year since 1990. With World steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Olympic steeplechase champion Brimin Kipruto, Olympic women’s 1500m gold-winner Nancy Langat, and World women’s 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenya has done the CWG a huge favour after all the big-name pullouts.
There are two gold medals at stake on the opening day of the track and field events — the 5,000m (men) and the javelin throw (women). India’s Sunil Kumar and Sandip Kumar will compete against the likes of Mark Kiptoo (Ken) and Moses Kipsiro (Uga) in a field composed predominantly of African runners. Kipsiro, who has been in India before (he was runner-up at the inaugural World 10K in Bangalore, has a personal best of 12:50.72 in the 5,000.
Among the others to watch out for are Eliud Kipchoge — whom the Kenyan coach singled out for praise. Kipchoge, like other young Kenyans, has struggled to make it to the national squad and said he wanted to make full use of the opportunity. “I started off well as a junior and that is why I have been here for long. But it has always been hard to break into Kenya team, and that explains why I missed out on 2002 Games,” he told the press.
But the Kenyans aren’t the only ones sending their best athletes. Australia’s Olympic and World champion pole vaulter Steve Hooker, and World indoor long jump champion Fabrice Lapierre are part of the field, as will be former world champion Trecia Smith of Jamaica in the triple jump.
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