Veteran coach Bernard Ouma has explained what gives him confidence about the men's 800m at Paris Olympics despite the absence of defending champion Emmanuel Korir.
Defending champion Emmanuel Korir failed to make the Olympics team to Paris but there is no doubt that the Kenyan contingent will still deliver.
Coach Bernard Ouma, who is in charge of the middle-distance runners to the Olympic Games believes the team is strong and ready to medal. He singled out Emmanuel Wanyonyi as the athlete to take the mantle in Paris.
The men’s 800m title has been held by Team Kenya since the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Wilfred Bungei defied all odds to take the crown. David Rudisha won the two consecutive titles at the 2012 London Games where he shattered the world record and 2016 Rio.
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Korir took the mantle at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and now, all eyes will be on Wanyonyi, Wycliffe Kinyamal and Koitatoi Kidali to continue the winning streak.
Speaking to the media during a training session at the Nyayo National Stadium, Ouma noted that Wanyonyi has been in great shape and will certainly deliver for Kenya. The 19-year-old is now the sixth fastest 800m runner in the world behind Rudisha, Wilson Kipketer, Djamel Sedjati and Gabriel Tual.
He also noted that at the previous Olympic Games, Timothy Cheruiyot bagged a silver medal in the 1500m and chances of a medal in the event are very high.
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“By good luck, I was in the team that represented Kenya in Tokyo and I was in charge of middle distances and we got medals in the men’s 800m and silver in the 1500m. Emmanuel Korir failed to make the team but Wanyonyi is very strong and he is running faster times,” Ouma said.
“Recently he competed at the Paris Diamond League and clocked a personal best time. When we go to Paris, the team is very strong and it is a mix of veteran athletes and debutants,” he added.
The veteran tactician said the team is well prepared and have been taken good care of by the government and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya since they began their Olympics preparations.
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