Several Kenyan athletes on Wednesday, June 14, withdrew from the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary, despite President William Ruto's promise to award Ksh5 million to every athlete that breaks a world record.
Speaking to the media, Athletics Kenya Director of Competitions, Paul Mutwii, revealed that World Marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei, London Marathon Champion Kelvin Kiptum and three-time world half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor pulled out of the race to focus on other lucrative races such as Berlin, Chicago and New York City.
He added that Athletics Kenya's hands were tied and would comply with the athletes' decisions.
"It's their choice and there is little you can do about that. It's their right to make whatever change they want even without giving us reasons," he stated.
In response, Mutwii listed a new team slated to represent Kenya in the Budapest race scheduled to kick off on August 19 and run till August 27, 2023. This comprised Titus Kipruto, Timothy Kiplagat (Rotterdam Marathon silver medallist) and Joshua Belet (Hamburg Marathon silver medallist).
Barcelona Marathon silver medallist Sally Chepyego will captain the women's team in place of Kosgei. Athletes selected on the reserves list include Commonwealth Games silver medallist Margaret Wangari, Bethwel Kibet and Commonwealth bronze medallist Michael Githae.
Mutwii noted that the athletes would train alongside their coaches in anticipation of the upcoming race. He expressed confidence that the team will emerge victorious in the race.
The Kenyan team will face stiff competition from the likes of Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola Abera and Gotytom Gebreslase who will be defending their crowns.
Kenyan athletes have been performing dismally in the Budapest race - with a five-year drought in the men's title race and a three-year drought in the women's category.
Ruto Promise
President Ruto on Tuesday, June 13, promised a Ksh5 million cash prize for any Kenyan athlete who broke a world record. He made the announcement while awarding athlete Faith Kipyegon the prize and a house worth Ksh6 million for her record-breaking performances in Florence and Paris Diamond Leagues.
"She has won and broken two world records in 1,500 meters and 5,000 metres. The government of Kenya is going to award her Ksh5 million for the 1,500 metres record and we are going to give her a house worth Ksh6 million in appreciation of the second 5,000 metres record," the president stated.
The three-bedroomed house will be situated in Parklands, Nairobi, and will form part of the Affordable Housing plan.
The Head of State also gifted Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, a Ksh2 million cash prize for his exemplary performances in the men's 100-metre category.
