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Makau’s management deny AK claims

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 13- Athletics Kenya (AK) has found itself embroiled in yet another who’s fooling who fiasco in the aftermath of the latest change in London Olympics men marathon team.

Observers were baffled after the federation overlooked world record holder, Patrick Makau as well as last year’s Boston and New York winner, Geoffrey Mutai when a slot in the men’s Olympics opened up on Monday following injury to Moses Mosop.

During the announcement where World Marathon Majors champion, Emmanuel Mutai was named as the Chicago course record holder’s replacement, AK boss; Isaiah Kiplagat explained why Makau and Mutai were disregarded as he went on to name Paris Marathon champion, Stanley Biwott as the athlete on standby.

Makau and Mutai dropped out of London and Boston races in April denting their Olympic hopes having been placed among the list of six-probables by AK in January.

“We said why we dropped Mutai and Makau. We asked their agents, because normally we rely on agents on these issues to give us a report. To date we have not received any reports from them.

“We are still waiting but for now, we have enough marathoners to pick from, the pool is too big,” Kiplagat told the press on Tuesday.

However, Possosports Europe who manage Makau have dismissed Kiplagat’s assertion saying the kept the federation informed on what was happening to their client who is expected to issue his side of the story later this week.

“We will always respect a National Federations right to select their teams as the see fit. That is not our issue. What does greatly concern us is the false statement given by the President of Athletics Kenya in his 12 June press conference as the reason for overlooking our client Patrick Makau,” Zane Branson, Makau’s manager and partner in Possosports said in a statement mailed to Capital Sport on Wednesday.

“One of our jobs as Makau’s Athletics Kenya and IAAF registered Athlete Representative is to defend his integrity (and ours, as his representative) when it is called into question. And the statements made in the 12 June press conference about Makau are completely untrue,” he added.

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“We were never formally asked for an explanation as to why Makau failed to finish the 2012 Virgin London Marathon. But we did voluntarily provide such an explanation, in person to Athletics Kenya Treasurer Kinyua, immediately post-race in London, and in e-mails to the Federations e-mail address on April 25 and May 8.

“We clearly stated that Makau’s problem was a minor sciatic nerve irritation and that within two weeks of the London Marathon he had resumed normal and full training,” he added and the said emails sent to AK secretary general, David Okeyo and Treasurer, Joseph Kinyua who is also the team leader for the athletics team to London 2012 are reproduced in full at the bottom of this story.

“I am in no way questioning the naming of Emmanuel Mutai / Stanley Biwott as the replacement for Moses Mosop. But I do want to make clear that Patrick Makau and ourselves did make it known to Kinyua, Kiplagat and four other AK officials (after the London Marathon) that his problem was minor and he would be ready to represent his country with distinction if selected,” the manager expressed.

“Makau’s problem in London this past weekend was obviously contrary to what we expected but we have been assured that the injury is not serious.

“He does have full flexibility in his left leg and we have been assured the issue is not a hamstring muscle strain, but apparently a mild case of sciatic irritation,” the first email dated April 25, two days after the London race read in part.

Despite not being named in the initial Olympics squad named at the end of that month where London winner, Wilson Kipsang and two-time World Champion, Abel Kirui were announced alongside Mosop, Makau’s management requested he be considered as a reserve despite his status as the standard bearer in marathon running.

“I request your permission for Patrick Makau to be allowed to compete in the Great Manchester 10km scheduled to take place on 20 May 2012 in Manchester, UK. Patrick has a valid visa for the UK.

“I will write a formal letter next week on behalf of Patrick Makau asking for him to be nominated as the alternate for the Kenyan marathon team,” Branson wrote to the federation on May 8.

Makau ran 2:03:38 in Berlin last year to shatter Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie world record that had stood for three years having finished third in London.

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In 2010, he won both Rotterdam and Berlin Marathons and won two silver medals for Kenya at the World Half Marathon Championships in successive years in 2007 and 2008.

POSSOSPORT EMAILS TO AK

MAY 8

Subject: CORRECTED: Patrick Makau – Great Manchester Run (10km) on 20 May / Requesting permission to compete.
Date: Tue, 8 May 2012 16:09:58 -0400
Dear Mr. Okeyo,
I am request your permission for Patrick Makau to be allowed to compete in the Great Manchester 10km scheduled to take place on 20 May 2012 in Manchester, UK. Patrick has a valid visa for the UK.

The Race organization is paying the cost of travel and Patrick will have the required medical/travel insurance for the duration of his short stay in Britain.

The Great Manchester 10km is more of an ‘exhibition’ race with Haile Gebrselassie, but it will be important for Patrick to demonstrate his fitness.

For clarity, as I mentioned in my email of 23 April to you and the Chairman, Makau’s problem in London was not a hamstring (muscular) injury, but a mild case of sciatic irritation. Makau has now returned to training and he continues to receive daily treatments to be sure that the injury has been dealt with and every preventative effort is being made to be sure he stays healthy.

I write write a formal letter next week on behalf of Patrick Makau asking for him to be nominated as the alternate for the Kenyan marathon team. Makau will continue with his marathon training and he will be fully prepared for 12 August should be named as the alternate and called up to represent his country in the Olympic Marathon.

I thank you in advance for your kind consideration.

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Respectfully, and with thanks,

Zane Branson

Possosports, Europe (Prague)

APRIL 25
Subject: AK selection for Men’s Marathon / Patrick Makau
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:50:00 -0400
Dear Mr. Kinyua, Mr. Okeyo, and Mr Hussein,

It was good seeing you in London this past weekend and Patrick Makau and I truly valued your concern for him after the marathon.

First and foremost, Makau’s problem in London this past weekend was obviously contrary to what we expected but we have been assured that the injury is not serious. He does have full flexibility in his left leg and we have been assured the issue is not a hamstring muscle strain, but apparently a mild case of sciatic irritation. Makau will be back in full training within the next few days and he continues to receive daily treatments to be sure that the injury has been dealt with and every preventative effort will be made to be sure he stays healthy through 12 August.

Patrick’s preparations for the London Marathon had gone really well and his key sessions went as planned and without any problems since February. Makau was confident with form when comparing to Berlin last September but sadly is was on one of his last few runs before leaving for London that the slight injury presented itself.

Though the timing of his problem was unfortunate, the silver-lining is that Makau can resume training without losing the few weeks needed for a recovery that is essential after a tough marathon. Considering that the Men’s Marathon is only 16 weeks away this will prove to be an advantage and will allow Makau time to be in the best shape of his life.

I have known Makau and assisted him since 2004 when he first came to Ngong to train with Jimmy Muindi and Patrick Ivuti. I remember traveling to Arusha with Makau in November 2005 and I was struck by one conversation I had with him on this particular trip when he stated way back then that about what means the most to him is an Olympic Marathon Gold Medal!

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Despite being the current Marathon World Record holder and winning world championship medals for his country, this remains his dream!

I can assure you, and all of those that may be involved with the selection process of the men’s marathon team for London 2012, that Makau will be physically and emotionally ready to represent Kenya and lead with his compatriots on the Olympic Marathon Course that favors a tactical approach ‏to insure they return home with three medals for their countrymen.

When deliberating the value of including Patrick Makau in the Kenyan team, his possible inclusion will prove a popular choice and I am sure you can count on him making Athletics Kenya proud.

I thank you in advance for your kind consideration to this very important issue.

Respectfully and with thanks,

Zane Branson
Possosports, Europe (Prague)

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