Spotlight: Buoyant Kenyan athletics stars relish Beijing return

Kenyan athletics stars are raring to put up a winning show of their mastery in the sport as they travel to China this week for the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships.

The East African middle and long distance powerhouse returns to Beijing where they have enjoyed resounding success in previous competitions.

When Beijing was confirmed as the host of the biennial track and field global showpiece, the Kenyan athletics fraternity was abuzz with expectation after topping the world during the 2006 IAAF World Juniors.

The 2006 IAAF World Juniors competition announced the arrival of David Rudisha in 800m before Kenya posted its best ever performance at an Olympics when the Chinese capital hosted the 2008 Games.

It is against this backdrop that the 52 athletes in the Kenyan team spread across track, field and marathon events are relishing the prospect of returning from China when the Aug. 22 to 30 showpiece concludes.

"I have wonderful memories of Beijing, the weather and warm hospitality of the Chinese people besides the fact I was part of the history making Kenyan women 800m team that became the first to win gold and silver at the Olympics," the 2007 Osaka World Champion Janeth Jepkosgei told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday.

"I won silver behind Pamela (Jelimo) and although every runner goes to win, it was a great result knowing at the time, no one could get close to her. This time, I'm bringing my daughter in athletics and the world champion Eunice Sum and I'm excited," said Jepkosgey who won silver at the Beijing Olympics a year later.

She said Jelimo has been strong and can defend her title, "but for me, first is to get to the final then work hard for something. Winning would be great."

For Brimin Kipruto, Beijing World Championships will be special for him. In 2008, he sprinted to his only gold at the Olympics when he won the 3000m steeplechase ahead of World Champion Ezekiel Kemboi, who ended up seventh.

"We had a plan then and we were to go as a team. But Kemboi had some problems and remained behind. So I went on to win," said Kipruto.

"That is why I remember Beijing with happiness, because I became the Olympics champion there. It made me motivate myself to return there. Even if it's the World Championships this time, the Bird's Nest is a special place," he said.

The 3000m steeplechase gold medalist at 2008 Beijing Olympics said Kenya has a strong team with almost the same group Nairobi had in 2008.

"Going Beijing and winning again is my target," said Kipruto who added the Olympics crown to his 2007 Worlds title in Osaka at the iconic stadium asserted.

But with Kenya seeking to diversify its medal scope, it will throw in javelin Africa and Commonwealth Games Champion Julius Yego in the ring.

"This will be my first time at a championship in China, but I had the chance to go to the Bird's Nest during the Beijing IAAF World Challenge meeting. China is expecting a lot from me since I'm coming as the world leader and Kenya is waiting for a first gold in a field event," he said.

"I have the Commonwealth title, two African titles and All Africa Games and in Beijing, I'm hoping for a first World Championships victory," said Yego, the famous YouTube man who threw the world leading 91.32m in Birmingham to shatter the African and IAAF Diamond League record.

For Viola Kibiwott, who is seeking her first medal in the premier track competition, Beijing return must help her fulfill her ambition.

"I did not get to know much when I was there for the Olympics in 2008 and I was running in 1500m. Now, I'm coming for the 5000m and I hope to realize my dreams of a World Championship medal," added Kibiwott who lost her mother a day before they left for the 2008 Olympics before opting to run for her nation and ending her medal run at the preliminaries.

Surprisingly, Jackson Kivuva, the 800m bronze medalist at the All Africa Games, regrets missing the cut to make Kenya team and a chance to return to Beijing.

"I'm not going to Beijing this time, I came so close, but I want to tell my colleagues who are going there to prepare for special moments. We were the ones who did the test run for the Bird's Nest and the facilities, weather and warm Chinese people remains in my mind always.," Kivuva said.

"I tried so hard to go back and I was motivated but I wish those going there all the best," men 800m runner Kivuva, the silver medalist behind world record holder David Rudisha at the 2006 World Juniors, noted.

The Olympics champion and megastar Rudisha is the only athlete from the World Juniors in China returning to the Chinese capital.

Two-time defending champion in men 1500m Asbel Kiprop, 2011 double world women distance champion Vivian Cheruiyot who won women 5000m silver, men 5000m bronze medallist, Edwin Soi are the others from the Beijing 2008 Olympics team who will race again at the Bird's Nest.

But while it will be upon the athletes to let their legs do the talking in Beijing, the team officials are upbeat their good fortune in Beijing will continue.

Team Kenya Manager Joseph Kinyua is once again hoping to lead the nation to a successful outing having led the celebrated teams for the 2006 World Juniors and 2008 Olympics.

"It will be my third time in Beijing and I'm looking forward to come back home with a big performance. Beijing is a great place, the hospitality of the Chinese people is warm and they make you feel at home from the minute you get there," Kinyua told Xinhua.

He said when Kenyan stars compete in Asia, the weather and warmth of the people inspires the athletes to give their best since all conditions must be perfect as compared to Europe.

He added: "We are ready to show everyone, even the Chinese our power when the competition starts since we are highly motivated."

Kenya beat hosts China in the final medal count during the 2006 World Juniors with six gold, seven silver and two bronze medals as the home nation took five gold, five silver and seven bronze at the biennial event.

At the Beijing Olympics two years later, the country's team of 48 track and marathon masters ran to six gold, four silver and four bronze with Kiprop receiving his men 1500m top medal three years later when Bahrain's Rashid Ramzi was stripped of it for doping. Endit