Kenya's Alfred Kirwa and Janeth Jepkosgei, the world 800m men's and women's champions, were among top athletes who have joined camp in Nairobi to prepare for the Olympic Games Trials.

The athletes were engaged in speed work and interval training as the clock ticks towards Friday and Saturday selection showdown.

Under the eyes of their Italian coach, Claudio Birrindeli, Kirwa and Jepkosgei engaged in interval training to gain speed.

At the same time, 400m runner and 2006 national champion, George Kwoba, hopes to recover from a back strain in time for the trials.

"This injury has been bothering me for a month now and the doctors have been working on it. I will target the Olympic qualifying time not the position," Kwoba said.

"If I get the time, I will definitely be in the Olympic places, " he added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2008)