Athletics: Top Kenyan runners prefer wealth to the Commonwealth

The lure of big money has tempted top athletes to abandon the Kenyan team heading to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next week, but coaches are confident the country will still put in a strong performance.

Top Kenyan athletes made it known during last month's Games trials that they were not running to qualify for Manchester, but to prepare for the more lucrative IAAF Golden League circuit.

Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase champion Reuben Kosgei, world 5000m champion Richard Limo and world 1500m silver medallist Bernard Lagat did not hide their intentions.

"I am only looking for speed because I am heading for the Golden League circuit. I am not too keen on the Commonwealth Games," Kosgei said.

Lagat added: "I don't want to run in the Commonwealth Games because they don't provide the sort of competition I would want."

Sports commentators say athletes are tempted by the big money they can earn elsewhere as much as by the level of competition.

Winning an individual event at one of the seven Golden League meetings can net an athlete up to US$15,000 ($31,204). Commonwealth Games winners take home nothing but glory.

Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said the association appreciated the athletes' position.

"Kenya is never short of talent and if we have the opportunity to expose a younger team to the Games as our top athletes compete elsewhere, so be it."

Olympic 1500m champion Noah Ngeny, Lagat and Kosgei have all been named for the African championships in Tunis from August 4 to 10. After that event the continental team will be named for the World Cup in Madrid on September 20 and 21. All medallists at the World Cup receive prizemoney, with the gold medallists getting US$50,000.

The conduct of some athletes during the Commonwealth trials pointed towards a money motive rather than a desire to fly the country's flag in Manchester, observers said.

One athlete appeared to slow down deliberately so as not to make the team for Manchester. When confronted by reporters, he confessed his preference for competing in Tunis.

Observers say it is hardly surprising that money and fame will forever attract athletes.

They say it is hard to imagine how an athlete from a country where more than 50 per cent of people live below the poverty line would resist the temptation to pursue the big dollars.

"We encourage our athletes to make hay while it shines," said David Okeyo, secretary-general of Athletics Kenya.

"This is not to say we don't take the Commonwealth Games seriously. Indeed, we hold them in high esteem, especially with the Queen's 50th anniversary coinciding with the Games.

"But we have such a large pool of talented athletes that it makes little difference whether some opted out of the Commonwealth Games to take part in the African championships. After all, we selected a few for both championships."

Paul Kosgei (10,000m) and Stephen Cherono (3000m steeplechase) will run in Tunis as well as Manchester.

Kiplagat and Okeyo say that the competition at the Commonwealth Games - where the Moroccans, Ethiopians, Americans, Germans and others do not take part - is of a lower calibre than at the Olympics or world championships.

But those who have chosen to miss Manchester have drawn criticism.

"The cultural heritage of the Commonwealth of nations should have prevailed in the athletes' minds rather than following narrow selfish paths," sports commentator Ayoki Onyango said.

"It is at such Games that we Africans prove our superiority to colonial masters and it is unfortunate that some of our best talents will be missing."

National head coach Mike Kosgei said that despite the absence of some top athletes, Kenya still had bright medals prospects in Manchester.

"Benjamin Limo and Paul Kosgei are in top shape and I can almost predict they will bring home gold medals."

Limo will team with Sammy Kipketer and Willy Kirui - younger brother of Ishmael Kirui (1993 and 1995 world 5000m champion) and the late Richard Chelimo (1992 Barcelona 10,000m silver medallist) - for the 5000m in Manchester.

Observers think that, at best, they will sweep the board. At worst, they are likely to win a gold and silver.

The Cherono brothers, Stephen (world junior steeplechase recordholder) and Abraham, have finally emerged from the shadow of their elder sibling, 1999 world steeplechase champion Christopher Kosgei, and also hold high hopes for a one-two in the 3000m steeplechase.

John Korir (who opted to train at home) and Paul Kosgei will be joined by Wilberforce Talel for the 10,000m challenge, another event with good medal prospects.

Among the women, Edith Masai (who holds the world cross-country short-course title) and Iness Chenonge start as firm medal favourites in the 5000m.

Faith Macharia and Selina Kosgei (800m) and Susan Chepkemei (10,000m) are also looking for gold.

Team manager Francis Nyatome is confident to the point of predicting gold medals from the 800m to the marathon in the men's events.

"Eric Wainaina is a sure gold medal bet in the marathon," Nyatome said, though he preferred not to commit himself on Japan-based Esther Wanjiru's chances in the women's marathon.

Kenya have named 16 men and eight women for the athletics at the Games. But even in the absence of the leading names, officials are predicting a bigger medal haul than the seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals they won in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

- REUTERS

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