KENYANS GO HUNTING IN FAMILIAR GROUNDS: Stars line up at historic Olympic Stadium in Rome tomorrow

Gold medallist Kenya's Asbel Kiprop and silver medallist Kenya's Elijah Motonei Manangoi celebrate after the final of the men's 1500 metres athletics event at the 2015 IAAF World Championships at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing on August 30, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN

The fifth leg of the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Italy tomorrow will refresh memories of track great Moses Kiptanui when he broke the 5,000m world record at the Rome Olympic Stadium.

On June 8, 1995, Kiptanui blew the field away to win in the then world record time of 12:55.30.
Although the prize will not be a male horse, the battle tomorrow night will be no different as Kenya’s track stars lock horns at Rome Olympic Stadium, which has turned out into another temple of middle-distance running.

Three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop will not compete at the event, as he will line up in Birmingham (on Saturday) and Oslo (next week Thursday), where he will gun for his fifth win at the meet.
Kiprop’s absence offers a golden opportunity for world 1,500 m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi to shine. Manangoi has played a second fiddle to Kiprop since the Beijing Worlds last August.

Asbel, who won the Diamond Race in 2010 and 2015, has won the Bowerman Mile in Eugene four times, having claimed victory in the 1500m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha in a world-leading time of 3:32.15.

Silas Kiplagat, also a two-time Diamond Race winner and 2011 world silver medalist, finished distant ninth in Eugene. But the duo of Kiplagat and Kiprop has faced each other 36 times in the 1500m and mile, and Kiprop enjoys a 19-17 edge. In the Bowerman Mile, the two tie in 33.

Manangoi finished third in 3:52.39 in his maiden appearance at the Bowerman Mile in Eugene last weekend.
Manangoi, who works for Kenya Police Service and comes from Kilgoris, will tackle Kiplagat, the 2011 world 1,500m silver medallist, and who will carry his 3:27.64 best mark to the line-up.

Manangoi finished second in Doha and third in Eugene and would be eyeing for his maiden win at the IAAF Diamond League series this season. Collins Cheboi (3:30.34), Betwel Birgen (3:30.77) and former Africa Youth 800m champion Robert Biwott (3:30.10) are in the mix alongside Nicholas Kiplangat (3:44.07).

They will take on Australia’s Ryan Gregson, third in Rabat meet in 3:34.43 and Ethiopia’s Aman Wote, who is out to redeem his image, having finished sixth in Doha and Eugene meetings.

Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono, a runner-up in Doha in 3,000m, will test Ethiopia’s world 5,000m champion, who won in Doha (3,000m) and Rabat meetings.

Cherono will marshal forces alongside Viola Kibiwott, a runner-up in Rabat and Eugene meetings, and Janet Kisa, who finished fifth in Doha and fourth in Rabat legs.
Ayana will lead Ethiopian assault that has Senbere Teferi (14:35.09) and Gelete Burka (14:31.20) in the 12-lap race.

World 800m bronze medalist Eunice Sum will once again take on 2009 world champion Caster Semenya of South Africa and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Lynsey Sharp of Scotland, who finished fifth in Rabat.

America’s Ajee Wilson (1:57.67), who has been in the woodworks, will be in contention.