Wilson Boit Kipketer's 7:59.08 World record at Letzigrund - 13 August 1997 (© Getty Images)
Kenya announce team members for Seville
20 July 1999 - Nairobi (Reuters) - World 10,000 metres champion Sally Barsosio was excluded on fitness grounds by Kenya when they named their team on Tuesday for next month's World Championships in Athletics in Seville, Spain.
The team, announced by Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA) secretary general David Okeyo, includes Daniel Komen and Wilson Boit Kipketer, winners at the last World Championships in Athens ‘97 over 5,000 metres and 3,000 metres steeplechase respectively.
The two were invited by the world athletics governing body, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), as wild card entries along with the other defending champions.
Okeyo said Barsosio was excluded because she has not fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered in a road accident last September.
"We would like her to fully recover and prepare for the Sydney Olympics next year, hence the reason for not including her in this team," Okeyo told reporters.
Another notable absentee was schoolgirl Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the 10,000 metres title at the Kenyan championships, but was not chosen as she had not achieved the qualifying time for the Seville event. She was, however, named in the team for September’s All African Games in Johannesburg, Okeyo said.
Promising middle distance runner Noah Ngeny, 3,000 metres steeplechase world record holder Bernard Barmasai and five times world cross country champion Paul Tergat were included in the squad.
Men:
400m - Kennedy Ochieng, Abednego Matilu, Julius Chepkwony
800m - Japheth Kimutai, Kennedy Kimngetich, Frederick ONyancha
1500m - Noah Ngeny, David Lelei, Laban Rotich
3000m steeplechase - Bernard Barmasai, Paul Kosgei, Wilson Boit Kipketer
5000m - Philip Mosima, Daniel Komen, Benjamin Limo
10,000m - David Chelule, Paul Tergat, Gabriel Muchiri
Triple jump/Long jump - Remmy Limo
Marathon - Eric Wainaina, Simon Biwot.
Women:
1500m - Jackline Maranga
5000m - Anne Wamucii
10,000m - Alice Timbilil, Leah Malot
Marathon - Esther Wanjiru.
