Men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase
Kenyan domination of the steeplechase is well known - since 1991 in Tokyo they have won both gold and silver in every race and swept the medals in 1997 - and this season has seen nothing to dispute their stranglehold. The only question is whether anybody can prevent their potential sweep.
Consider that world record holder Bernard BARMASAI (7:55.72) returned to form with a surprising win at the Kenyan championships followed by a win at the Golden Gala race in Rome. Wilson BOIT KIPKETER won Golden League races in Oslo and Paris but will not be in Edmonton having failed in his bid to get into the Kenyan team.
Meanwhile Reuben KOSGEI the Olympic champion won the Golden Gala event in Rome and finished second to BOIT KIPKETER in Paris and Nice, a reversal of their places in Sydney. The other member of the formidable Kenyan contingent is Raymond YATOR, second to KOSGEI in Rome and who has dipped under 8:10 twice this season. A year ago YATOR set a world junior record of 8:03.74.
Best of the rest appear to be the Moroccans Brahim BOULAMI, who ran 8:07.28 to come third in Monaco; Elarbi KHATTABI, who won a pair of lesser European races, clocking 8:09.49 in Sevillle; and Ali EZZINE, who ran 8:10.23 for fourth place in the Nice Grand Prix event. EZZINE got the bronze medal in Seville two years ago.
European contenders are led by Spain's Luis Miguel MARTIN, 8:10.53 for fourth in Monaco, and Antonio JIMENEZ whose best time of 8:11.52 came in Seville where he finished third. In Paris and Rome he was also just behind the lead pack. Perhaps, if he has timed his training to perfection he can slip in for a medal. In all likelihood the Kenyans will go to work on the field right from the gun paying no mind to pace, resulting in a fast race that only the strongest will survive.
