NAIROBI, Kenya, May 22- All top-four finishers from last year’s Daegu Worlds led by double champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, are among elite runners who will contest for Olympic tickets in the women 10000m race.
The Trial that will be held during the June 14 to 16 National Championships will see silver medallist, Sally Kipyego, bronze winner, Linet Masai, the 2009 world champion and Priscah Jepleting who returned fourth renew acquaintances with the ‘Pocket Rocket’ that led them across the line in South Korea.
Athletics Kenya (AK) relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, said while announcing the probable list of ten that has been penned for the that the federation expects more to go under the London A-Standard of 31:45.00.
“We hope to have 20 athletes competing for places during the national championships,” he added with some travelling to the June 2 Pre Fontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon seeking to get qualification.
Commonwealth champion, Grace Momanyi, Military Games titleholder, Doris Changeiywo, 2010 World Half bronze winner, Peninah Arusei, 2009 World Half silver medallist, Peninah Arusei and Caroline Nyakaga are other listed in the Trials probable line-up.
Cheruiyot, who led the Kenyan 1-2-3-4 in Daegu, will start as the favourite to secure one of the three slots available in the women 10000m squad despite asserting last weekend during the Kenya Police Championships she was not sure she will double in London.
“I have not decided whether I will double at the London Olympics but my biggest aim is to win the only medal that I have not yet won in my career. This is the year I should do that and I will focus on doing my best to realise my dream in London,” she stated after winning the women 1500m.
Angwenyi added the team to represent the country at the Africa Senior Championships in Benin will be chosen at the Nationals and he expects a competitive team to be chosen for the event.
“We have enough talent and depth in the country to represent us well at both the Olympics and Africa Championships,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the athletes who will contest for tickets in the corresponding 10000m Trial at the Pre Fontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon shifted their training camp to Nairobi ahead of their departure to United States on Sunday.
AK selected 13 athletes to feature in the race during the April 17 pre-trials in Nairobi where 2009 Worlds bronze winner, Moses Masai won the race as Olympics bronze medallist; Micah Kogo missed out on selection for lacking qualification time.
Elsewhere, Angwenyi also declared that the National Junior Trials will be held on June 8 and 9 at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium where Kenya will choose its team for the World Junior Championships in Barcelona.
