Kenya performed well in the just-concluded World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany, but a few technical blunders denied the country the chance of bagging more medals, Kenyan Sports Commissioner, Gordon Oluoch, said on Monday.
Oluoch lauded the team for the sterling performance that saw Kenya retain the third position overall with 11 medals -- five gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
But he was quick to point out that some obvious blunders on the part of the athletes, made Kenya lose races it should have otherwise won.
"We won races we thought we were not going to win and lost those we should have won, much as we did not surpass our performance in Osaka, it was generally a good performance," said Oluoch.
Kenya finished third behind overall winners, the United States who retained title with 22 medals, followed by high riding Jamaica who bagged 13 medals.
Sports Commissioner, Oluoch described as a "fiasco" some of the blunders made by some Kenyan middle distance runners.
He cited 800 and 1,500m runner Asbel Kiprop, a top favourite to win the races, who failed to qualify for the finals.
In the 1,500m race he was eliminated in the semi-finals, same as the 800m event where he was eliminated alongside compatriot Daniel Rudisha.
Kenya lost the men's 800m title to South Africa following defending champion Alfred Yego's defeat by South Africa's MbulaeniMlaudzi, but Yego put up a spirited fight and won silver.
The absence of men's marathon defending champion Luke Kibet, only inspired compatriot Abel Kirui to snatch gold in the 42km race.
Meanwhile, the government and Athletics Kenya (AK) were expected to issue a comprehensive statement on Kenya's performance and unveil the way forward upon the team's arrival from Berlin on Monday night.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article