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Kenya's Cherono withdraws from London marathon, Olympics over injury

Xinhua, April 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya' s Gladys Cherono has pulled out of the London marathon, which effectively rules her out of contention for the London Olympics.

Kenya will use the London marathon to select its team for the Rio Olympics as it seeks to win its first gold medal in the distance.

"I had high hopes to make the Kenya team, but injury will rule me out of my dream to win in London and also to compete in Rio. By the time I get over this injury, I believe, I will not be fit for consideration in the Kenya team and I wish my colleagues all the best," she said Wednesday in Eldoret.

Cherono was the 2014 IAAF World Half-Marathon gold medalist and 10,000m silver medalist at the 2013 World Championships.

Head coach Julius Kirwa said it was a blow to the team for the withdrawal of Cherono.

"Of course to get an athlete of Cherono' s class is not easy ... We are not worried and the others will pick up the gauntlet and represent Kenya well," he said.

Mary Keitany, speaking from her training base in Iten said Cherono will be missed, but said they will come up with a new plan to destroy the rivals in London. Endit