GREATEST JUNIOR TALENT?

Anon

The big scandal/ruckus about the Africans forging fake birth certificates is well over a decade old and is now a poor excuse to downplay their accomplishments. The MEDIA, jealousy fans and competitors are keeping that notion alive and it isn't as big as everyone thinks it is. The other nations have been protesting to IAAF which has in turn caused for more information and documents to be required for junior status/age verification. The problem may not be 100% fixed but its not widespread today as it may have been 10 years ago. The MAJORITY of juniors from ALL countries are indeed legitimate juniors.

Vipam

How do you run a 7:57 3000 and only run a 3:53 15 unless it was done in the same race????

I strongly disagree with you about this issue. I believe that this is still a big problem in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. This is not about jealousy, this is about fairness. Certainly this is not a problem at the federation level, this is a problem at an individual level where the individuals can benefit monetarily from being perveived as a junior. The Kenyan and Ethiopian teams would still dominate even all of the runners were age eligible.

I certainly do not believe the ages of the Africans. It's simply a crock. They have no idea how old they are. My dad is a doctor and many Americans (older Americans) still have no idea how old they are, and we are the most advanced nation in the world.

Ryun has to be up there for junior talent. Obea Moore definitely too.

Speaking of Boniface Kiprop he intends on running the World Junior Championships and the Olympics and his time goal for the 10000m is to run under 27 minutes in 2004. If he achieve this he will shatter the World Junior Record of 27:11. If Kiprop don't become the first junior under 27 minutes this year Moses Mosop, F. Joseph (Tan), or another Kenyan junior will break that barrier this year.

Moses Mosop is a my athlete, and this year probably cannot run well. He had a very bad winter, without real problems, but he married, built a house and lost a lot of time. So, at the moment, he's very back in his shape, and I don't think that has time for recovering for the Kenyan selections. Instead, may be that, going two months in St. Moritz with all the group, can be ready for a good 10000m after Olympics, mey be Bruxelles again.

Renato Canova

Thanks for the response, Moses was my pick to break the World Junior record this year even if Boniface Kiprop lowered it to sub 27 minutes. I thought the ability I saw of Moses in his 27:13 last year and 5000m runs he could beat Boniface easily. I appreciate your information on Moses' conditioning and possible plans for this summer track season.

Have he lost so much conditioning that it will now be hard for him to set a new 10000m personal best?

Vipam