Uganda's Cheptegei to miss IAAF Doha Diamond League

KAMPALA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Double gold medal winner at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Joshua Cheptegei has pulled out of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Doha Diamond League.

The Qatari capital will host the opening leg of the IAAF Diamond League at the Qatar Sports Club stadium on May 4.

"I have discussed with my managers and decided I skip the Doha Diamond League because I need a rest now after competing in two races at the Commonwealth Games in Australia," Cheptegei told Xinhua on Saturday.

Cheptegei won gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m respectively to help Uganda finish in 15th place at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

"There are lot of celebrations on-going in Kampala and also back home in Kapchorwa which cannot give me time to prepare well for the Doha event. I have therefore decided that although it was part of the plans, I opt out of the event," added the 21-year old star athlete.

He had been entered to run in the IAAF season opening Diamond League in Qatar. He was expected to run in the 1,500m race since his preferred races are not scheduled in Doha.

Cheptegei who is also the world 10,000m silver medalist appeared in the 1,500m race in March this year at the Athletic Grand Prix in Ruimsig, Johannesburg where he finished second behind Kenya's George Manangoi.

The 2018 IAAF Diamond League meetings will be staged in Doha, Shanghai, Eugene, Rome, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, Lausanne, Rabat, Monaco, London, Birmingham, Zurich and Brussels. Enditem