Kenyan athletes parade for 'mini-Olympics'

The Kenyan trials have been labelled the 'mini-Olympics' especially in middle distance races and the northern city of Eldoret is expected to give the world what to expect from the East African giants at the Brazil Summer Games on Thursday and Friday.

In the recent past, the selection event in the athletics power house has served up epic battles as the country' s finest track and field exponents put reputations, stature and lives on the line to be included in the team.

The first starting gun went off at 9am local time with the women 10000m final that according to the start list, will witness a titanic clash between world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, a previous Olympics bronze and silver winner against Alice Aprot, the freshly-minted African champion.

However, coaches and Athletics Kenya (AK) officials intimated the latter could be given an Olympics wildcard after her exertions last Sunday where she powered to the African title in a world leading time.

"We are advising selectors to give her a rest because when you consider she won the National Championships, ran in South Africa and now here, that would be 40,000km covered in a month and it would be burn out," Kenya Cross Country head coach David Letting said.

Other luminaries in the line-up include Olympics silver medallist, U.S-based Sally Kipyego, Linet Masai the 2009 world champion and former junior champion Irene Chebet Cheptai.

Olympics champions, David Rudisha and Ezekiel Kemboi will launch the defence of their crowns in the men 800m and men 3000m steeplechase semi finals in the highlight events of the afternoon session.

"Everything is ready. We are expecting great action starting Thursday and at the end, we shall select a strong team. We had a problem in the London Olympics because some athletes left late.

"Those who left early like (David) Rudisha and (Ezekiel) Kemboi brought home gold," National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock) chairman, Dr. Kipchoge Keino said Wednesday after conducting a final inspection of the refurbished stadium named after him that will host the event.

Other luminaries in the hunt for Rio tickets include Beijing 2008 Olympics champions, Asbel Kiprop (men 1500m), Brimin Kipruto (men 3000m steeplechase) as well as world champions, Julius Yego (men Javelin), Nicholas Bett (men 400m Hurdles) and Hyvin Kiyeng (women 3000m).

The fearsome collection of medallists at the Olympics, IAAF World, Commonwealth and African championships as well as dark horses out to topple the establish order will go towards enhancing the brutal reputation of the Trials.

"The pressure is on the athletes since they will be performing at home with their wives, children, relatives and friends watching. They will be out to give their best since many will come here to watch them since they have only been seeing them on television," Letting added.

The decision to hold the Trials in Eldoret for the first time that are expected to draw a mammoth crowd has raised concern even among elite runners.

"Factors to consider as Road to Rio comes to Eldoret for Kenya's Olympics Trials. Eldoret is the centre and home of all Kenya's celebrity athletes with the region having over 5000 athletes' young and old.

"My worry is with the expected attendance, athletes their families friends and the community plus foreign guests who I have knowledge many have come to cheer and witness the best track and field trials in the world," Beijing 2008 champion, Asbel Kiprop, posted on Facebook on the eve of the event he is expected to star.

"My question is will Kipchoge Keino Stadium host the numerous number of fans? Will the arena sustain over 40,000 fans? What about the walls when the inside of it is full? Don't we think the fans will climb and hang on the old walls?

"Will the walls collapse? As we expect the best we must as well prepare for the worst. All members and fan's let's consider safety as we come to Kip-Keino Stadium because of the multitude," he posed as he urged for caution. Endit