In the longest mid-distance races of the Diamond League finals, the women's 5000 and the men's 3000, Ethiopia is represented by 6 women and 6 men, while Kenya is sending 0 men and only 2 women.
The premise here is that you'd expect a great middle distance running nation like Kenya to have quite decent representation in these two races, but this year that's not the case.
50% (6/12) of the men's 3000 are Ethiopians.
None are Kenyans.
55% (6/11) of the women's 5000 are Ethiopians.
18% (2/11) are Kenyans.
What could be causing this?
- Championship selection models? (Ethiopians chasing fast times in the DL over the first half of the season, while Kenya decides from nationals, resulting in the Ethiopians being more easily qualified for the DL finals)
- Priorities? (Travel vs. no-travel. Roads vs. track.)
- Talent? (Ethiopia on a high while Kenya is on a low)
- Anti-doping efforts? (With Kenya doing really good work over the last 2 years and counting)
What do you think?