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NAIROBI, July 12 (Xinhua) – World and Olympic 3,000 meters
steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto has excluded a world
record attempt at the Rabat Diamond League meeting in Morocco on
Friday.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, before going out in the air, Kipruto
said that he's focused on running a fast time but will be eager to
gauge his body before going to fetch the world record in Monaco
of the Diamond League in two weeks.
"I feel strong and I will run with the hope of testing my
body under different conditions. My plan to beat a world record will be
to be in Monaco, not in Rabat, "said Kipruto.
The 23-year-old man leads a horde of Kenyan stars to
Moroccan capital for Mohammed VI meeting of Athletics Friday
before turning to the African Championships, which will be
will be held in Asaba, Nigeria from 1-5 August.
On the women's front, Hellen Obiri, world champion of the 5000m
return to action to confront Ethiopia Genzebe Dibaba in what will be
the highlight of the meeting. The two will compete with Sifan Hbadan,
whose mission will certainly be to spice up the race and make it
exceptional.
Kipruto provided one of the highlights of 2016, winning the
steeplechase in a record meeting time of 8:02:77. The Olympic
Kenya champion will return to Rabat to try to improve this
Mark. Kipruto with a personal best time of 8:00:12, always has a
long way to go.
The world record is held by Qatari Saif Saaeed Shaheen (Stephen
Cherono) at 7:53:63 in 2004 in Brussels.
Kenyan Brimin Kipruto nearly broke the record in
Monaco in 2015, with a time of 7:53:64 but no other athlete has
never come near. "The record stayed a long time and it is
time for someone brave to lower it, "Kipruto said.
Moroccan star Soufiane El Bakkali delighted the local crowd
Rabat last year while he won the men's victory
steeplechase.
A few weeks later, he was going to win the silver medal at
IAAF World Championships in London. This year, El Bakkali hopes
to imitate his heroism in Rabat and start his journey to
the final in the process.
A victory would propel the young Moroccan in the top eight,
increase his chances of a place in the final and a shot at the
Diamond trophy. Enditem
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