NAIROBI, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan World 800m bronze medalist Kipyegon Bett is ready to challenge for a medal at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Thursday.
Speaking in Nairobi, Bett believes the emergence of Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal will ease the pressure and allow him to display his true talent as 83 Olympic, World and European medalists line up in Rome, the fourth stop in the 14-tier Diamond League series.
"It is hard to dominate the 800m race because every time a new talent crops up, people forget about your ability. But I will wait to exploit any chinks [in their armor] in Rome and see that I win the race," Bett said in Nairobi on Monday.
Ever since Olympic champion David Rudisha injured his knee and hamstring last year, there has not been one special athlete who has emerged to dominate the 800m race and Bett says the reason is a lack of concentration.
"That is because we want to run in many races and burn out fast. But when you remain focused and race sparingly, you can attain any mark you desire. It will be hard for anyone to attain the feat that Rudisha has got, but there are many young runners coming through who will be ready for the challenge soon," he added.
In Rome, Bett will have to deal with Kinyamal, who was beaten for the first time this season in Eugene, United States in the Prefontaine Classic. Kenya's Emmanuel Korir won the race. Others to watch out for in the Italian capital will be European and Polish champion Adam Kszczot.
In the 3,000m steeplechase, United States runner Emma Coburn will battle against the best African runners. Coburn will be the stand-out name in the water and hurdle race having claimed the gold at the London World Championships last year. Coburn will face Olympian Beatrice Chepkoech in Rome. Chepkoech is the series leader having won in Shanghai, China earlier this month. Enditem
