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The veteran coach has shed light on the reasons that informed the selection of Brigid Kosgei over Sharon Lokedi for the Olympics despite the latter’s great form in recent races.
Veteran athletics coach Julius Kirwa has disclosed the reasons why Athletics Kenya opted for Brigid Kosgei in favour of Sharon Lokedi in the Olympics marathon team.
Lokedi was snubbed from the team of three that includes Kosgei, defending champion Peres Jepchirchir and Hellen Obiri, despite her recent impressive performances and named as a reserve instead.
A number of theories have been thrown around over why Lokedi, who finished third in New York last year before a second place in Boston, was overlooked for Kosgei, the former world record holder, who could only manage fifth in London this year even if she won the Lisbon Half Marathon in March.
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18:26 - 02.05.2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Fans voice concern over Sharon Lokedi's exclusion despite her good form
Fans have shared their opinion concerning the move by Athletics Kenya and NOC-K to select Brigid Kosgei in the main Olympic marathon team and name Sharon Lokedi as a reserve, with some believing Nike played a huge role in the selection of the team.
However, Kirwa, who was among the panel of selectors that came up with the team, says experience of running in a championship swung the tide in favour of Kosgei, who won Olympics silver in Tokyo three years ago.
“All of them are the same in timing, consistency but some don’t know how to run without pace makers so it is our duty to know who can sustain any change in the course of competition,” Kirwa told Pulse Sports.
“Both of them are good so we don’t underrate anyone but remember, Brigit has a world leading time [2:14:04 the second fastest time in history] so she is equally good.
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17:44 - 02.05.2024
The many Olympic firsts that await Kenya’s marathon team in Paris
Kenya unveiled a formidable Olympic marathon team that comprise defending champions Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchirchir but all six runners are eyeing their own ‘first’ in Paris.
“Sharon is good but there are some areas where she fell short because we have not seen her running alone without pacemakers. This is a championship which is different from major marathons.”
There have also been claims that Lokedi missed out due to sponsorship reasons. Kit maker Nike, the sponsor of Team Kenya at the Olympics and global championships, is believed to always want to have a representative on the team which would not have been possible had Jepchirchir, Obiri and Lokedi made the final three.
However, Kirwa has distanced his team from the claim, saying the selectors made their decision based on performance and experience of the runners.
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08:25 - 02.05.2024
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“That is inhouse, maybe it could be, but we did not take charge about it. I cannot comment on it because we focused on performance,” added Kirwa.
In Jepchirchir, the London Marathon champion, two-time Boston Marathon winner Obiri and Kosgei, who has won twice in Chicago and as many times in London besides setting a world record in 2019, Kenya has a formidable team that should bring the gold medal back home.
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