Off the wire
• German benchmark DAX index closes flat  • Spanish stock market rises 0.15 pct  • Global Fund elects new board chair  • 1st LD-Writethru: China requires large banks to set up inclusive finance divisions in 2017  • China to send two giant pandas to Denmark  • Israel cuts budget to UN over UNESCO vote  • U.S. stocks traded lower ahead of Fed's decision  • India sends back visiting Pakistani students amid flare-up in Kashmir  • China acts on forex-related violations  • French shares drop 0.06 pct  
You are here: 　 Home

Kenyan stars head to Qatar hopeful of dominating the Doha League meet

Xinhua, May 3, 2017 Adjust font size:

A horde of Kenyan stars left Nairobi Wednesday for Qatar's capital to launch their season at the Doha Diamond League meeting, which will be held on Friday.

With focus being on the London World Championships in August, the elite Kenya team, is hoping to launch their campaign with win or fast time to propel them to success in London.

Leading the team of middle distance runners will be Conseslus Kipruto, the Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion, who wants to take the world title in the water and barrier event at the London worlds to add to his gold from Rio Games.

"I will be running in the 3,000m flat race and the focus here is to gauge my speed and endurance in a race I believe will be competitive. My training has been good without any injuries or disturbances and I believe, my legs will do the talking in Doha," said Kipruto before his departure.

Several world leads of the early season 2017 are expected on Friday in Doha. One nearly for sure is expected in men 1500m where strong Kenyan group looks to rule. Silas Kiplagat and Elijah Manangoi have the top credit.

Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti and Ethiopian duo Dawit Wolde and Aman Wote should also not be underestimated.

The only European runner will be Czech Indoor gold medalist 2015 and national record holder Jakub Holusa. Other continents representatives are Ryan Gregson of Australia and US Ben Blankenship.

Meanwhile, Poland and Iraq will be among the first teams to arrive in Nairobi for the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in July.

Some 119 countries have confirmed their participation in the youth championship that is expected to draw close to 3,000 athletes and officials.

However, there will be no show for athletes from New Zealand, Australia, USA, Britain and Sweden who are citing insecurity as a major contributor to their withdrawal. Endit