Makau rues decision to take it easy in London

Nairobi: Marathon world record holder Patrick Makau, who was omitted from Kenya's Olympic team, did not run hard during last month's London race because he believed he had already been selected for the Games, the athlete said on Wednesday.

"When I went to the London marathon last month, I knew I was already in the team for the Olympic Games as promised by Athletics Kenya last year," the 26-year-old said.

"It is not practical, not even advisable, to run hard in the London marathon or Boston or even Rotterdam in April and expect to recover in time for the Olympics three months later."

"So even as I was going to London, I knew deep inside that I was not going to finish the race," said Makau, who pulled out after 16km.

Makau said he had been told he would be in the Olympic team after setting a world record of 2:03:38 in Berlin last September, and had reduced his appearances to prepare for the London Games.

Athletics Kenya last week selected London marathon winner Wilson Kipsang, twice world champion Abel Kirui and Moses Mosop, who was third in Rotterdam, for the Olympics.

Makau said he would not contest the decision and had no ill-feelings towards Athletics Kenya, but hoped they would still consider him.

"It was them who told the world that I would get a wild card to the Games. It is them who can fulfil the promise," he said.

With such a depth of talent available, the Kenyan marathon selection was always going to prove a headache. Last year, Kenyan men won all six world marathon major titles, sweeping the medals in three, and setting course records in London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

Tergat's support

Samuel Wanjiru won the country's first men's marathon Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 but he died last year after jumping from the first floor balcony of his home.

Makau has support for his inclusion in the team from fellow Kenyan and former world record holder Paul Tergat.

"I personally would have wanted Makau in the team. He should even have been there as a reserve. Marathon training is tough and anything can happen to the three athletes already selected," Tergat said.

"After all, [Athletics Kenya] paraded him after he broke the world record in Berlin last year and announced to the world that he would be in the team for the Olympics," said Tergat.

Tergat was confident the Kenyan women would perform in London.

Mary Keitany, world champion Edna Kiplagat and Priscah Jeptoo were selected for the team after taking the top three places in the London marathon.

"Our women are set. They have come of age and may even beat our men to the medal haul in the London Games," Tergat said.