Associated Press says Eliud Kipchoge, Stanley Biwott, and.... Wesley Korir Will Be Kenyan Olympic Marathon Team

Reuters is saying the list will be finalized on Tuesday, but this is pretty much the team according to someone on the selection panel. Apparently Kipsang and Kimetto withdrew their names from consideration because they don't think they'll run well in the heat and humidity of Rio.

http://www.flotrack.org/article/41586-eliud-kipchoge-heads-2016-kenyan-olympic-marathon-team

I can understand Kimetto doing that because he's been off his best for a while, but that seems remarkably unselfish of Kipsang, if true, because he was a viable 3rd candidate. I hope he wasn't politically or socially pressured to do so. He dropped out at Beijing, but are people really instrinsically good or bad hot weather runners? Can you not train for it?

Yeah. Un$elfish for sure. Let everyone good race hard in August, then grab Berlin or Chicago's top prize.

That makes sense. The reasoning was a quote from their manager.

El Keniano wrote:

Very happy with the women's selection, btw. I was afraid Mary would be passed over.

Agreed on the men.

Adreed on the women.

Mheshimiwa shouod NOT be where near the team.

I'd still go with Kipsang and you said, with kotut second and may be kipyego third.

Kipchoge and Biwott had to be on the team.

The women's team is PERFECTO!

NativeSon wrote:

El Keniano wrote:

Very happy with the women's selection, btw. I was afraid Mary would be passed over.

Agreed on the men.

Adreed on the women.

Mheshimiwa shouod NOT be where near the team.

I'd still go with Kipsang and you said, with kotut second and may be kipyego third.

Kipchoge and Biwott had to be on the team.

The women's team is PERFECTO!

They all will choke. Kenyans run good in Marathons when they see a money bag as a rabbit. No money in Olympics.

Things that make you say hmmm wrote:

Korir? He's a great guy by all accounts and most countries would be glad to send him, but he's not one of the 3 best marathoners from Kenya.

If he self-identifies as one of the 3 best, what's the problem?

Much money in Olympics.

I saw this thread and thought it must be 4 -5 years old. I honestly looked at the date to make sure it wasn't 2011 or 2012.

Martin Lel is an alternate? He hasn't broken 2:20 since 2012. It this a joke?

I hope Wesley Korir is smart enough to decline his spot. I"m serious. How is 4th at Boston in 2:14:05 considered better than 5th in London in 2:07:52.

Last year, Korir ran 2 marathons (boston and chicago) and didn't break 2:10 in either.

#joke

NativeSon wrote:

El Keniano wrote:

Very happy with the women's selection, btw. I was afraid Mary would be passed over.

Agreed on the men.

Adreed on the women.

Mheshimiwa shouod NOT be where near the team.

I'd still go with Kipsang and you said, with kotut second and may be kipyego third.

Kipchoge and Biwott had to be on the team.

The women's team is PERFECTO!

Kweli. He barely makes my top 10. If they were going purely on recent consistent form, Kipsang should be picked. I have a soft spot for unheralded Kotut based mainly on subjective view of his potential based on age and temperament. Realistically, he's a long shot.

Maybe they have to make their case like in an interview or on paper? Why they should be picked over others? Like: "I Wesley Korir, while fulfilling my parliamentary duties still managed to come fourth in Boston with inadequate training. I'm also better than Kipsang in the heat as he DNFed in Beijing while I've proven myself in past". Chumba fades badly at the end of races and Kotut is so green and a risk to pick. He has to wait his turn".

The likes of Kipsang, Kimetto and Kipchoge run the world champs and Olympics to win titles to add to their legacy. Finishing second or third is not option. Where their chances of winning are in doubt, therefore, they opt out and focus on winning one of the Majors. Kipsang did the math. He realizes that Kipchoge is a strong believer of only two marathons per year. If he (Kipchoge) runs the Olympics(and he(Kipsang) knows he can't beat him there), he will not run any other of the fall marathons and that offers Kipsang a chance for a big win and of course a big pay day. Biwott, who is known to run only two marathons a year as well is unlikely to change his routine, which gives Kipsang even more leverage. Berlin, Chicago and New York City marathons therefore must be in his sights. Contrary to the believe of some, Kipsang is still a force and feels he could break Kimetto's WR before Kipchoge inevitably brings it down to "unreachable" level. That seems to be his main motivation for forfeiting his spot on the Olympics team.

per wrote:

Reuters is saying the list will be finalized on Tuesday, but this is pretty much the team according to someone on the selection panel. Apparently Kipsang and Kimetto withdrew their names from consideration because they don't think they'll run well in the heat and humidity of Rio.

http://www.flotrack.org/article/41586-eliud-kipchoge-heads-2016-kenyan-olympic-marathon-team

I can understand Kimetto doing that because he's been off his best for a while, but that seems remarkably unselfish of Kipsang, if true, because he was a viable 3rd candidate. I hope he wasn't politically or socially pressured to do so. He dropped out at Beijing, but are people really instrinsically good or bad hot weather runners? Can you not train for it?

I don't know. Maybe Wilson Kipsang expressed to AK that he doesn't want to run in the Olympics? (This is just a guess and speculation. Do not take this as inside info or anything like that.)

Kenya used to have the problem that their top runners had no interest in the Olympics because they preferred to get a big payday at other races.

Motivation beats class - the last three champ titles has gone to two guys who has never won a major...

Immediately after Boston, Korir claimed that he was in great shape and that he is suited for the conditions in Rio.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/04/25/korir-asks-ak-to-grant-him-games-ticket_c1338203

Does he still train in Louisville when not in Kenya? I'm pulling for Korir. He has a great story.

Looks like he had some "inside" info...

Other options wrote:

I have always loved Kipsang but I think it's clear he either doesn't run well in heat or unpaced races. Not sure exactly as he has won New York and was third in last Olympics... Maybe just bad day in Beijing? You have to think less risk with Korir. Wilson could win or he might drop out

What are you even talking about? Wilson won NYC and was bronze in London OG 2012. Pretty sure those are unpaced, boss. And London OG 2012 was hot.

You sound like an AK crony.

I wouldn't be surprised if Wilson and his handlers lobbied to keep him out of the Olympic team so he can stay with the city marathon$.

NativeSon wrote:

El Keniano wrote:

Very happy with the women's selection, btw. I was afraid Mary would be passed over.

Agreed on the men.

Adreed on the women.

Mheshimiwa shouod NOT be where near the team.

I'd still go with Kipsang and you said, with kotut second and may be kipyego third.

Kipchoge and Biwott had to be on the team.

The women's team is PERFECTO!

WTF is Mheshimshimshim? Korir??

No translator wrote:

NativeSon wrote:

Agreed on the men.

Adreed on the women.

Mheshimiwa shouod NOT be where near the team.

I'd still go with Kipsang and you said, with kotut second and may be kipyego third.

Kipchoge and Biwott had to be on the team.

The women's team is PERFECTO!

WTF is Mheshimshimshim? Korir??

'Mheshimiwa' is Swahili for 'honourable'. He's an member of parliament. Hon. Wesley Korir to you, pleb.

Martin Lel?

This must be a joke. Wiki says he is 37 and last ran in 2012

Looks like Korir really made the team ... AK better have an explanation.

https://twitter.com/weskorir/status/729696949000122370