AK to select 10000 women's team prior to Olympic trials

Athletics Kenya will select the women’s 10000m team a week before the  Olympic trials set for June 23 to give those athletes willing to double a chance to qualify,as it ruled out wild cards for the London Games.

AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said runners who fail to make it to the men’s team that will be picked during the Samsung Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon later this month will also be allowed to try their luck in the 5000m trials to be held at the Nyayo national stadium.

Kiplagat who made the announcement after the federation’s  Annual General Meeting, AGM which also approved the AK's constitution held at the Riadha House ruled out any wild cards insisting athletes will only be selected from the trials.

“Anybody wishing to participate in two races, be it the women or men’s race at the Olympics must be ready take part in the trials,” advised Kiplagat.

Kiplagat outlined the road to the men’s 5000m trials, which will begin with the national championships on June 21 and 22 to select the 12 athletes who will then proceed to the national trials to fight for slots in the Olympics team.

“We currently have 29 athletes in the men’s 5000m and the figure may go opt 30 or even 35 if some opt to try their luck in the 5000m if they fail to make it to the team that will be picked in Eugene, we will therefore use the national championship as a trial for the main Olympic selection in June,” added the AK chair.

The already qualified 4 by 400m relay team contenders will be selected at the Africa championships to be staged from June 27 in Benin.

Meanwhile, this year's AK’s AGM approved several changes including the name of the position of the chairman to be changed to ‘President’ who will be assisted by four vice Presidents while that of Secretary General currently held by David Okeyo will be replaced by a Chief Executive Officer, CEO on appointment basis.

The new constitution that will take effect during the 2013 AK elections.

Elvince Joshua

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