Mzungu in Iten wrote:
The ethiopians are not in shape. It has been incredibly difficult to train properly in Addis.
"First due to the coronavirus-enforced shutdown, and more recently due to civil unrest in Ethiopia, where the killing of singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29 sparked ethnic tensions and the deaths of hundreds of Ethiopians."
Basically running in groups was banned, solo was completely unsafe, and all the tracks were closed, the traditional outings in Sululta and Sendafa were cancelled. Each runner had to train at his own peril.
Meanwhile in Uganda(they imposed a very strict lockdown early on) since late may, training resumed as usual, at full volume and intensity.
Are the steeplechasers for some reason in a better position? Just seems curious they have their top guns in that event, and none of the 5,000m guys (not sure of Kejelcha's base)