NAIROBI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least seven foreign countries will parade 20 Kenyan origin runners in their teams at this year's World Championships, which starts in Doha, Qatar from Friday and ends on Oct.6.
The United States and Bahrain will have seven athletes each with Kenyan origin in events ranging from 800m to marathon distance. Hosts Qatar, Turkey, Israel, Belgium and Azerbaijan have all entered at least one athlete, according to the latest entry list published by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
This has forced Kenya's head coach Julius Kirwa to make a rallying call on his troops warning of an imminent implosion at the World Championships. Kirwa described the scenario as one orchestrated by Kenya's own dominion gene in long and middle distance races.
"We have ex-Kenyans who will be running for rich countries dotted across the globe. These are the athletes I want to refer to as Kenya B because the team we will be parading in Doha will be the Kenya A. Such athletes are a big threat to our dominance because they know us very well," Kirwa said on Monday in Nairobi.
"Ugandans, Ethiopians and Moroccans. This were our traditional rivals, but now that is no longer the only threat," added the coach.
Almost all these Kenyans of foreign legion have pitched camp in Eldoret in the Rift Valley to enjoy and exploit the unique high altitude training and hot weather conditions ideal for the World Championships, which will be held in hot Qatar starting on Friday.
Olympics 5,000 meters silver medalist Paul Chelimo, who won the United States first medal in the race since Bernard Lagat, another Kenyan export, retired has been training in Eldoret together with teammates Shadrack Kipchirchir and Stanley Kebenei. The team is under Scottish coach Scott Simmons. Chelimo is eyeing the men's 5,000m title in Doha, and is happy with his progress in training at 'home'.
"I was named in Team USA, and my training in Kenya for the last one month has been good. I'm looking forward to a good run and to take the gold medal in the race," Chelimo said.
Chelimo chose to train in Iten to acclimatize to hot weather condition ahead of the race. He is alive to the tough test that awaits him in Doha.
The USA team has been brushing shoulders with Uganda athletes who are also based in Iten led by Commonwealth Games champion Joshua Cheptegei.
America's Stanley Kebenei will compete in men's 3,000m steeplechase where he is seeking to challenge Kenyans who have been dominating for years. He has warned the water and hurdle race is no longer a Kenyan specialty.
"Things have changed in steeplechase and anyone can win the race. I have trained and, although it will be tough, I believe I'm equal to the challenge," said Kebenei.
Eyeing marathon title will be Azerbaijan marathon champion Evans Kiplagat, with Belgium parading in 5,000m Isaac Kimeli. Israel marathon Lonah Chemtai Salpeter will return for her country in Qatar as will Turkey's Polat Kemboi Arikan (marathon).
Bahrain has named Abraham Kipchirchir (1,500m), Albert Rop (10,000m), Benson Seurei (marathon) and John Koech in 3,000m steeplechase. The women team has world marathon champion Rose Chelimo, Eunice Chumba (marathon) and Winfred Mutile (3,000m steeplechase).
USA team has Hillary Bor, Paul Chelimo, Shadrack Kipchirchir, Leonard Korir, Elkanah Kibet, Hillary Bor and Stanley Kebenei, all former Kenyans.
