NAIROBI, July 27 -- Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya has given his approval of the Kenya team to the world championships in London saying they are capable of making a clean sweep of the medals.
Kipchoge, who opted not to travel to London as he chases his dream of breaking the world record in Berlin in September, said Thursday the country has a huge reservoir of talent and anybody picked to make the team has what it takes to rule the world.
"Despite me not making the team, the squad is strong. My absence will not change anything. They have strong minds, bodies and what is required for them to win the marathon gold medal. I believe in them. With combined efforts they are likely to sweep the first three places. I know they will deliver and I wish them all the best," he said.
Kenya team is made up of Daniel Wanjiru, winner in April London marathon, Boston Marathon champion Geoffrey Kirui and Gideon Kipketer, the Tokyo Marathon silver medalist.
Kipchoge will be racing in the Berlin Marathon next month together with compatriot Wilson Kipsang eyeing to shutter Dennis Kimetto's 2:20:57 world record.
Kipchoge ran in Monza, Italy in May finishing in 2:00:25, two and a half minutes faster than world record.
However, his time will not enter the record books because he was helped by a phalanx of 30 elite pacers, who subbed in and out of the race, which is against the official rules of the sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Kipchoge mission was sponsored by Nike to run under two hours.
Kenya missed claiming any medals at the Beijing World Championships in 2017 with Eritrea's Ghirmay Ghebreslassie claiming gold ahead of Yemane Tsegaye of Ethiopia and Uganda's Munyo Solomon Mutai.
The top Kenyan was Mark Korir who finished in position 22. Now the Kenya's young team is keen to make amends in London.
伦敦又遭恐袭 梅相怒斥恐怖主义:真是够啦
Nasa's Sun skimming mission 美国国家航空航天局启动太阳探测计划
国内英语资讯:Xinhua president meets Tass director general on ties
怀孕会让人大脑缩水?一孕傻三年!
哈佛大学将开设“《权游》课”
LED假睫毛引领奇特时尚新潮流
国内英语资讯:Chinese, Kazakh presidents hope cooperation will revive ancient Silk Road
国际英语资讯:Third London Bridge attacker named as Moroccan-Italian Youssef Zaghba
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Xis Kazakhstan visit to boost bilateral cooperation, chart course for SCO devel
名校女学霸研发出手语翻译臂环
国内英语资讯:Chinese ambassador calls for strengthened Sino-British film, TV exchanges
国际英语资讯:BiH citizens including former IS members to be deported to BiH: minister
男士理想身材:想拥有“倒三角”?但你其实是“矩形”
夏季气象词汇
欧盟要建免费Wi-fi,这还有没有王法了?
体坛英语资讯:Pliskova, Svitolina earn delayed victories into last 16 at Roland Garros
国际英语资讯:Apple introduces smart compact music speaker
国际英语资讯:White House defends Trump as scathing tweets raise concern
国际英语资讯:Trump kicks off centennial NYC Veterans Day Parade
国内英语资讯:China, Greece to pool wisdom for community with shared future for mankind