Kenyans to gauge selves at Aviva Grand Prix

By Oscar Pilipili

Aviva London Grand Prix will offer Kenyan athletes an opportunity to gauge their preparedness for the London Olympic Games.

The race that is the world’s only two-day Samsung Diamond League event will be staged at Crystal Palace on July 13-14.

Team Kenya athletics coach Sammy Rono said the London Grand Prix is important since athletes will put to practice what they learn in training camp at the Moi International Sports Centre.

The world 10,000m and 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will compete in the event alongside 2008 Beijing Olympics 800m silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei.

1,500m trials winner Silas Kiplagat will also take part.

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He said: “These competitions (Grand Prix) are important because they offer us coaches chance to gauge and test the strength of our athletes. “By participating in such events athletes on the other hand are able to put into practice what they learn in camp,” he said.

“We allowed a number of athletes to race in Meeting Areva in Paris last Saturday and as coaches we were impressed with their performance,” said Rono.

When asked whether more athletes will be permitted to run in the Samsung Diamond League in Monaco on July 20, Rono said it was the prerogative of the management to rule on such matters.

“Monaco event is very close to the Olympics but the decision whether our athletes should travel or not lies with the management,” he said.

Athletes who competed in Paris include world 800m champion David Rudisha, Isaiah Kiplangat and Edwin Soi (5000m).

Rono said most of the athletes who participated in the Samsung Diamond League in Paris are back at the camp and have resumed training.

Most runners among them Olympics steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya champion Brimin Kipruto and Sally Kipyego spent the better part of training at Ngong on Monday.

According to Rono, all athletes are in good shape.

Rono said: “Our training program is progressing well and this has been made possible by the fact that the team is void of injuries.”