I just saw an article on the BBC which said Tergat has withdrawn from London because he's only 40% fit. He said that he's been in military training for 4 months, which as I recall was the reason he gave for pulling out of Fukuoka. He also said the training coincided with the presidential elections.
He says his focus is now going to be on the Beijing Olympics, but how's he even going to get selected now? And why should he be?
I think he is just afraid of Ryan Hall.
Yeah because with all that's going on in Kenya right now Ryan Hall is the big concern.
I'm about the same age as Tergat. I would think that I would be in much better shape if I joined the military. Kenya's either got lazy soldiers or Tergat's 100% in shape is something scary!
I hope he makes the team this year. It's probably his last chance to take on Haile at the Olympics.
Can someone with a strong knowledge of Kenya please explain this to me? Why in god's name would Tergat be missing training to do military training? He's one of the greatest runners in history.
It makes no sense to me. Is he angling for a post-running career?
Also the article said he's going to focus on the Olympics. Because of his military training, has he already been selected to the team? I thought London was the Olympic qualifier for them.
Tergat is the GOAT, and he doesnt want to race if he severely out of shape.
he doesnt want to be severely out of shape and lose to somebody who is he much better than, for example haile beg.
I've seen statements about London being the Kenyan trials too, but they were all made in reference to Wanjiru running at London. Since Cheruyoit is running Boston, I suspect it is still the same process as always with no official trials.
Based on the past 24 months, I would be surprised if Tergat could make the team in a trials, but he might get selected if it is politically driven.
ROJO- Tergat was recently commisioned as an Kenya Airforce Officer after serving in the airforce for 21 years as an ordinary soldier and theirfore had to attend an officers' course similar to the one at SANDHURST MILITARY ACADEMY in the UK or an equivalent in the UK.Afeter completion he is set to be given the rank Captain and perhaps rise quickly thorugh the ranks to a much more senior one (due to his exemplary service to the country).I think Tergat has decided to go down that road coz he does not think he has many years to go in athletics.Personally i would say he is left with only one big race that is if he can motivate himself again to train hard and win.I doubt he will make it for the kenyan olypic team coz there is lots of guys like Martin Lel,Cheruiyot,Rodgers Rop,Kiogora,Maiyo,Rop,Luke Kibet etc who are working very hard aiming for the olympics.
The military thinks running 2 miles and doing 100 pushups is all the fitness you need. Often they dont allow you off the base so your only route is the parade ground. Instead of sleep you have guard duty. In the day you stand or march in the sun.
No wonder he is out of shape.
I actually don't see any reason why, limited to 3, Kenya should pick him for the Olympic marathon. I also doubt they will.
As Kimutai says, Paul has been at a Kenyan Army 'school' since around early December. The reason he's doing it is because it is his job. I think Paul is in his second nine-year enlistment term, not 21 years, but I could be wrong about that. The school he's attending is near one of his homes, and he's able to join his family there on some weekends.
Knocked In The Head wrote:
He says his focus is now going to be on the Beijing Olympics, but how's he even going to get selected now? And why should he be?
Because he's really f***ing fast, that's why.
Tergat has been focussing alot on life outside athletics for some time now.He has been mentoring and training a group of marathon runners in Ngong Hills (outskirts of Nairobi) some of who include Chelanga,Cyprian Kiagora and Daniel Yego and lots of other very promising runners and seems to be keen to establish a career in coaching and representing elite marathoners.On the other hand he has also been trying to esablish a career in politics by appearing in public events and being vocal on political issues though i suspect with the way things are in kenya at the moment he will have to postpond that one for now.I have lots of doubts about his participation in the Zayed Marathon coz at the moment he is genuinely unfit(i.e has not been training seriously for awhile).I guess Tergat has probably come to an end of his career but is finding it hard to accept it.
Sure Was Memorable wrote:
I actually don't see any reason why, limited to 3, Kenya should pick him for the Olympic marathon. I also doubt they will.
I'm a big fan of PT but I gotta agree with this. Lel and Cheruiyot ought to be certain picks, so Wanjiru should be given the chance to compete with Tergat for the last spot. Or anybody else who might blast a sub-2:06:30 this spring.
simon KET wrote:
Tergat has been focussing alot on life outside athletics for some time now. He has been mentoring and training a group of marathon runners in Ngong Hills (outskirts of Nairobi) some of who include Chelanga,Cyprian Kiagora and Daniel Yego and lots of other very promising runners and seems to be keen to establish a career in coaching and representing elite marathoners.
Simon, You're right about the first part, Paul is the mentor of the training group, Bwana Mkubwa if you will, but he has no desire to either coach on a regular basis or to manage athletes. Dr. Rosa is the group's 'coach' and manager.
simon KET wrote:
Tergat has been focussing alot on life outside athletics for some time now. He has been mentoring and training a group of marathon runners in Ngong Hills (outskirts of Nairobi) some of who include Chelanga,Cyprian Kiagora and Daniel Yego and lots of other very promising runners and seems to be keen to establish a career in coaching and representing elite marathoners.
Simon, You're right about the first part, Paul is the mentor of the training group, Bwana Mkubwa if you will, but he has no desire to either coach on a regular basis or to manage athletes. Dr. Rosa is the group's 'coach' and manager.
beautiful that we're this far past his post and nobody has yet replied to troll number 1. love it.
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