By Oscar Pilipili
The 2012 Olympic Games may have come at an odd time for some Kenyan athletes who are frontrunners in the lucrative IAAF Diamond League.
The timing could be unfair to the athletes since various persons including top Government officers are requesting them to sacrifice other engagements and focus on Olympics.
Kenyan Olympians who are involved in the Diamond League must have received the request with heavy hearts owing to the monetary implications in the Circuit.
But lady luck may smile on the competitors after athletics coach Julius Kirwa announced they might release some runners to participate in the Diamond League.
Kirwa said: “We are negotiating with some athletes to see whether they can take part in the Diamond League.”
“We all understand that the Diamond League is an important event, but if the races are too close to the Olympics we shall not release them,” he said.
RECORD HOLDER
The next three Diamond League races are Meeting Areva in France on July 6, London Grand Prix on July 13-14 and Herculis in Monaco on July 20.
Commonwealth Games and African 3000m steeplechase champions Milcah Chemos leads the category with 12 points while world champion and record holder David Rudisha is level with Sudanese Abubaker Kaki and Leonard Kosencha in the 800m category.
Other Olympians who have taken part in this year’s Diamond League include Asbel Kiprop, who tops 1500m with 10 points, Isaiah “Chairman” Kiplagat and Thomas Longosiwa who tie in fourth position on two points in 5000m and Abel Mutai who lies third in 3000m steeplechase category on two points.
On athletes who are doubling in African Championship in Benin and 2012 London Olympics, Kirwa said there is no cause for alarm since they are involved in middle distance races.
“Olympians who are in Benin are taking part in events like 800m and 1500m which are not that enduring,” said Kirwa.
