Kenyans stung by Farah in 10,000m

By Okoth Omulo

Kenyans had a rather bad evening here on Saturday when the expected 10,000m medal slipped further adrift, as Bedan Karoki, at fifth position, was the top among the three.

Moses Ndiema Masai, bronze medalist in Beijing four years ago, was a poor 12^th while Wilson Kiprop did not even finish.

As Masaai disclosed that he would henceforth go for marathon, the two disclosed for the first time that Kiprop had been battling with a leg injury all along, since the team camped in Kasarani for these Olympics.

To compound the damage already done by Kiprop’s secret injury, Karoki started feeling a heavy leg with nine laps to finish, almost the same time that Kiprop dropped out.

“The pace was too slow for me and when I tried to up it, I did not get enough support. Karoki spoke to me, saying he wasn’t feeling well, so this even made my work harder,” said Masai.

The Kenyans ran a disjointed race, which was only explained after the finish. Britain’s Mo Farah, who trains in Iten, in Kenya, won in 27:30.42 with American Galen Rupp second in 27:30.90 and Tariku Bekele third in 27:31.43. Twice champion Kenenisa Bekele was fourth (27:32.44) and Karoki fifth in 27:32.94.

“I tried to battle with them in the final bend but my legs were not moving as fast as I had wanted. It was troubling me during the race. That is why I was speaking to Masai to help me pushing the pace,” said Karoki.

Athletics Kenya took the 10,000m trials to the United States, ostensibly to get the best runners for the Games. Kenya has not won a 10,000m gold since Naftali Temu’s in Mexico in 1968.