Kenya overlook marathon man
World record-holder Makau misses out on Olympics berth along with other fancied names
Nairobi: Kenya left world record-holder Patrick Makau off their Olympic marathon team on Wednesday as distance running's dominant country cut a bunch of world-class athletes from their group for London.
Makau didn't make the final list of three men and three women after he failed to finish the London Marathon earlier this week because of a hamstring injury.
Instead, London winner Wilson Kipsang, two-time defending world champion Abel Kirui and Chicago title-holder Moses Mosop were the men named by Athletics Kenya for the Olympic race.
Mary Keitany, who won the women's race in London on Sunday, will also return to compete at the Olympics. Reigning world champion Edna Kiplagat and Priscah Jeptoo, who finished second at the worlds, were the other women selected. All three were on the podium at the London Marathon.
Makau dropped out less than halfway through the men's race, possibly costing him a place on the team in favour of surprise inclusion Mosop.
Makau ran the fastest time ever in a marathon in Berlin last September, but hasn't hit the same form this season — with Mosop putting in better performances in 2012, according to Athletics Kenya.
Individual performance
"We have selected the athletes based on their individual performances after the major marathon races they have participated in this season," Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat said.
"If you look at the time posted by Mosop, although he was third in Rotterdam he has done much better than most athletes."
Multiple New York and London champion Martin Lel didn't make it. Geoffrey Mutai, who set a course record in winning last year's New York Marathon, also missed out. World bronze medallist Sharon Cherop didn't make the cut for the women.
The team is still formidable. Kipsang, the second-fastest marathon runner in history behind Makau, and world champion Kirui will spearhead their bid to retain Kenya's men's Olympic title in the marathon after the late Sammy Wanjiru won in Beijing four years ago. Kenya can also pick a reserve for its men's and women's Olympic teams before the June 23 deadline.
