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Kipsang, Kimetto to miss Rio Olympics as Kenya to name final squad

Xinhua, May 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Olympic marathon bronze medalist Wilson Kipsang and world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto have ruled themselves out of contention for a slot in the Kenya team to the Rio Olympics games in August.

Poor form and injury has followed Kimetto, ever since he claimed the world record in Berlin in 2014 clocking a shin breaking 2:02.57 while Kipsang, believes he stands little chance to win the elusive gold medal, the only collection missing in his illustrious marathon career.

"I was in Beijing and it was hot and humid. I did not finish the race and I believe that similar conditions will be in Rio so it is important that somebody else gets that chance to compete in the race," said Kimetto in Nairobi on Sunday.

The two, who share a manager Gerard van de Veen, will instead focus on other races in the September.

Their manager confirmed that the two runners were apprehensive about the anticipated hot and humid conditions on offer in Rio de Janeiro.

Kipsang and Kimetto both competed in similar conditions at the World Championships in Beijing last summer where they both failed to finish.

Their withdrawal, however, does not weaken the strength of the Kenyan team. With stars like London Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and New York Marathon winner Stanley Biwott ready to fill up the void, the men' s marathon team will be strong in Rio.

Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei said they have already selected the team, but have given them up to Tuesday to confirm availability.

"The final team will be named on Tuesday," said Tuwei Sunday in Nairobi.

Alongside Kipchoge and Biwott, Kenya has also selected Wesley Korir, Dickson Chumba and Cyprian Kotut.

"There are no doubt about my intension. I planned to run Rio Olympics and every training I had been geared towards the same," said Kipchoge.

Kipchoge has won six out of the seven marathon races he has contested in. He also has two medals from the Olympics in 5,000m - a bronze (2004 in Athens) and Silver 2008 in Beijing. He missed the 2012 London Olympics due to poor form.

The initial women' s team includes London Marathon winner Jemima Sumgong, world half marathon record-holder Florence Kiplagat, New York Marathon winner Mary Keitany and Amsterdam Marathon winner Joyce Chepkirui. Endit