Danger looms as other countries battle to dislodge Kenyans from ‘traditional’ races

World Athletics Championships – women’s 3000 metres steeplechase heats – London Stadium, London, Britain – August 9, 2017 – Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi of Kenya, Fadwa Sidi Madane of Morocco and Purity Cherotich Kirui of Kenya compete. REUTERS

Kenya is no doubt the world’s athletics superpower. But the six-decade dominance is under threat in major championships.

The men’s 3,000 steeplechase — often billed as ‘Made in Kenya for Kenyans’ — has been on a sliding trend despite the country basking in three podium sweeps at worlds in 1997, 2007, and 2015, when Ezekiel Kemboi orchestrated the historic 1-2-3-4 sweep.