Kenyan stars shine on the flashback of 2014 athletics season
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E-mail Xinhua, December 22, 2014
Kenyan runners continued their dominance in the year of 2014.
The 30-year-old Dennis Kimetto made a world-class performance in 2014 as he created a world record of two hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds in Berlin to become the first man to run the marathon distance under two hours and three minutes.
He also became the fourth Kenyan to set a world record over the 42km distance, wearing the big shoes of compatriots Wilson Kipsang (2:03:23), Patrick Makau (2:03:38) and Paul Tergat (2:04:54).
From Boston, to Berlin and back to New York, Kenyans dominated the 42km distance in both genders.
However, the biggest news was the nabbing of Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo, who tested positive of banned Erythropoietin (EPO).
Jeptoo, had been due to be crowned the world marathon majors (WMM) women's champion in New York on Nov. 2 following her back-to-back wins in Boston and Chicago.
"Nothing" was all she said when asked for a comment. WMM, which organizes races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York, postponed the awards ceremony and said it was disappointed by Jeptoo's failed doping test.
Athletics Kenya announced that Jeptoo's A sample indicated the presence of prohibited substances, Erythropoeitin, a hormone growth substance prohibited by the sport's world governing body.
At least 36 Kenyan athletes have failed doping tests in the past two years. Kenyan government officials have blamed the growing doping cases on foreign agents and Athletics Kenya's failure to educate its athletes properly.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Isaiah Kiplagat was quick to note that the vice was indeed a thorn in the flesh and though the people involved were few.
But still Kenyans dominated the marathons in Tokyo (Martin Mathathi), London (Edna Kiplagat), Berlin (Kimetto), and New York (Wilson Kipsang).
Kenya's flag also rose higher at the World Junior Championships in the United States, as the new production line churned out faster and stronger talents in Eugene, Oregon.
Host USA ruled the roost claiming 11 gold, five silver and five bronze. Kenya was second with four gold, five silver and seven bronze.
Stars like Sheila Chepngetich were able to dominate in the 1,500m as well as Alfred Kipketer (800m) and Barnabas Kipyego (3,000m SC).
Kenya also did a great job at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China by claiming two gold, two silver and one bronze.
In the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Kenya won 10 gold, 10 silver and five bronze.
Things worth to note were that Faith Chepng'etich graduated from junior to senior ranks to claim victory at the 1,500m at Glasgow and steeplechaser Jairus Birech ended Ezekiel Kemboi's reign here.
The focus will now shift to the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro in 2016 and the 2015 All Africa Games, where the country hopes its young athletes will step up to the bigger stage.
Also in 2015, the World Cross Country Championships will be held in Guiyang, China in March and the World Championships will be held in Beijing in August. Endi
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