Hamstring injury forces Manangoi out of Rio

Elijah Manangoi of Kenya is helped by Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria after finishing the race [PHOTO: COURTESY]

World 1,500m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi had his Olympics ended after the heats on Tuesday after picking up a hamstring injury. Manangoi, was due to join world champion Asbel Kiprop and Ronald Kwemoi last night in the semi-finals, but he was forced to watch from the sidelines. The youngster was one of the favourites for an Olympic medal, but now Team Kenya will have to do without his services after such a splendid season that has seen him finish just behind Kiprop in a number of races. During the heats on Tuesday, he finished second in heat two behind Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria. He clocked 3:46.83 to automatically qualify for the semis. Athletics head coach Julius Kirwa rued Manangoi’s injury but said there is nothing much they can do. “It is sad that Manangoi had to be ruled out of the competition this early, but there is nothing much we can do and just put faith on the two others in the team to deliver the title for him,” Kirwa told FeverPitch yesterday. Both Kiprop and Kwemoi also regretted Manangoi’s exit.