Korir has last laugh as top guns are omitted from marathon squads to Rio Olympics

Wesley Korir Wesley Korir of Kenya smiles after crossing the finish line to win the men's division of the 2012 Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Selection of Kenya’s national athletics team ahead of any international event has always been a tricky balance.

It’s always dogged by controversy at every opportunity and the exercise by Athletics Kenya to select marathon teams to Rio Olympics was no different.

On Tuesday, old debates were re-ignited minutes after AK named squads for the summer games to be held from August 5-21.

London Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge, runner-up Stanley Biwott and 2012 Boston Marathon winner MP Wesley Korir will lead Kenya’s onslaught in Brazil.

Tokyo Marathon runner-up Bernard Kipyego and Paris Marathon winner Cyprian Kotut are on the reserve.

London Marathon winner Jemima Sumgong leads the women’s campaign alongside Tokyo Marathon winner Helah Kiprop and Visiline Jepkesho, the Paris Marathon winner. Two-time London Marathon winner Mary Keitany and Florence Kiplagat, third in London Marathon, were placed as reserves.

The selection of Korir, fourth-placed in Boston Marathon last month, against Kipyego second in Tokyo and who has been consistent in his 13 career marathons, raised some questions on the selection criteria.

Kipyego, however, said he would discuss with his manager (Mitchel Boeting of The Netherlands) on his plans for the season.

The 30-year-old Kipyego said; “I expected to be named in the team after finishing second in Tokyo Marathon. But it’s okay. It’s the duty of the federation. I wish the team well.”

Kipyego finished fourth in Boston Marathon and won Amsterdam Marathon last year. Athletics analysts and international media faulted AK for picking Korir, claiming Kipyego was the best bet for an Olympics slot if consistency and age were anything to go by.

But Moses Tanui, a two-time Boston Marathon winner, said there was no cause for alarm.

“The selectors made no mistake. In fact, they fact factored consistency and performance. You must understand that championships and big city marathons need different approaches,” said Tanui.

Mary Keitany, who was placed on reserve, said; “I was surprised that I was picked, but as a reserve. I was sick during London Marathon and I got tripped during the race. I thought the selectors could have considered me. But there is no problem. For now, I will go to Riadha House on Monday for the meeting then I set my focus for the season. Being on the reserve is 50-50 chance to get into team.”

The selections have a long history in Kenyan athletics. In 1999, the Court of Appeal ordered Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (now Athletics Kenya), the National Olympic Steering Committee and National Olympic of Kenya to include Eric Keter, who had been dropped from the Sydney Olympics trip.