Nairobi (AFP)
Kenyan 1500m world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, initially unqualified for the Tokyo Olympics, is finally in Kenya's shortlist announced on Wednesday.
Cheruiyot had taken only fourth place in the Kenyan selections in June.
Injured in the hamstrings during this period, he had also had to face a family bereavement.
But in July, the 25-year-old middle-distance runner set very good times in the Diamond League during his victories in Stockholm and Monaco (3 min 28 sec 28, best world performance of the year).
What to claim a place for Tokyo.
"I am delighted to be part of the Kenyan Olympic team. I am in better shape than in the trials and I promise to give Kenya a medal in Tokyo," the runner told AFP.
Cheruiyot replaces young Kamar Etiang, second in the squads but sidelined for failing to comply with anti-doping measures which require three out-of-competition tests in the past ten months, Kenyan athletics officials have said.
Walkers Samuel Gathimba and Emily Ngii and 400m hurdles runner Moitalel Mpoke were also dropped from the list.
Kenya will send a total of 40 athletes, mostly runners, to the Olympics from July 23 to August 8.
© 2021 AFP