Kenya to send big team to Beijing world championships

Kenya will enter a big squad to the World Championships in Beijing as it bids to rule the middle and long distance races in the premier track and field competiton in August.

David Okeyo, Athletics Kenya (AK) Vice President, said the country will have a quality team in the relay and sprints races to supplement on the medals from the middle and long distance event.

"We have medal prospects in relays and the field events. Our javelin athlete Julius Yego is doing well and we hope we can compete well in 400m and the relays," Okeyo from Eldoret on Friday after touring athletes training camp.

Kenya sent a team of 49 athletes to the 2013 championships in Mosco, and Okeyo believe they will be able to have at least 60 athletes in Beijing.

"We are scheming on how best to send a big quality team to Beijing. We are talking with athletes and those who have got the qualification marks will have their chance," he said.

IAAF rules demand that only the best three from each country can compete in each of the disciplines in Beijing.

IAAF has said that a record number of athletes are expected to compete at the World Championships in Beijing in August.

Preliminary entries of 2,567 athletes (1423 men and 1144 women) have been received from 203 federations for the championships, which will be held between August 22-30.

Even taking into account the usual reduction in numbers between preliminary entries and final participants, the IAAF is optimistic that Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium will witness the biggest ever gathering of athletes for the sport's premier event on its calendar.

There were 1,335 athletes from 153 member federations at the first World Championships in 1983, which demonstrates how the sport has progressed at the highest level in the past 30 years. Endi