By CHRIS MUSUMBA
Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat is supporting athletes in rejecting the decision to have Kenya team train in Bristol before the Olympic Games, which stars on July 27 in London.
Speaking on return from Porto Novo, Benin, where he had accompanied Kenya team to the Africa Senior Athletics Championships, Kiplagat said the athletics team technical bench had dismissed the proposal to pitch camp in Bristol. The decision has been communicated to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya ( Nock) and the Kenya Olympic Games team Steering Committee. The team was due to leave today.
“We had a meeting with coaches, Nock and Athletics Kenya officials and the decision of the coaches was made clear. It is against the interest of the team to train in Bristol. The same was passed on to Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary and the steering committee. I do not understand why Nock is trying to force the team to train in Bristol,” said Kiplagat.
World 800m champion and record holder David Rudisha commenting on the Bristol camp said there was need to have a consensus on the matter.
“There have been concerns about the Bristol camp but my suggestion is that athletes be allowed to give their opinions and then a final decision be made over it,” said Rudisha.
Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo said her position on the Bristol camp will depend on her management team.
Management decision
“Regarding Bristol, I have not decided on the matter because I need to discuss with my management. We will then decide what is best for me,” said Jelimo who is also the assistant team captain.
But Asbel Kiprop, the Olympic 1,500m champion and World silver medallist Silas Kiplagat said it was wrong to force them to train in Bristol.
“I want to train here and will not agree to move to Bristol,” said Kiprop.
