Only specialized training camp will help reclaim steeplechase glory, says Kibiwott
Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwott reckons only a specialised training camp will help recapture the Olympic title.
Kibiwott, Amos Serem and Simon Koech saw their efforts to reclaim the title falter at the Paris Olympic Games on Wednesday night.
For the second Games in a row, Kenya failed to win a race they had controlled in all the editions they paraded athletes, until 2016.
Amos Biwott pioneered at Mexico City in 1968 and Conseslus Kipruto was the last at Rio 2016.
Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali retained his title in 8:06.05 while USA’s Kenneth Rooks surprised with a silver, setting a personal best of 8:06.41.
Kibiwott, the world bronze medallist, timed 8:06.47 for third.
“I would recommend that Athletics Kenya organizes a training camp for steeplechase runners to help us train and strategize on how to beat these guys,” he said.
“In the meantime, let us all be patient. It will come.”
It was another eventful final, which saw Ethiopia’s world record holder Lamecha Girma fail to finish after a hard fall in the third-last barrier, which left him motionless on the track. He left on a stretcher.
Meanwhile, Kibiwott explained how his tactics and calculations nearly bore fruits in a tough race.
“The last 300m was tough. I was watching these two guys (Girma and El Bakkali). They are very strong in the sprint,” he said.
“I did my calculations right but relaxed with 200m to go only to see the American (Brooks) breeze past. I had not put him in my plans but now I know anybody can win at the Olympics.”
“I never foresaw an American finishing second. I was fixated on the two (Girma – the world record holder and El Bakkali, the defending champion). I chased hard but it was too late.”
However, Kibiwott was happy to strike a medal after finishing 10th at Tokyo 2020 three years ago. “I am thankful for the bronze medal. I did my best. I never thought I would win a medal,” he added.
Girma and El Bakkali finished in the same positions at last year’s world championships in Budapest with the Ethiopian taking silver.
Kibiwott and El Bakkali were seen in a conversation at some point with Kibiwott revealing: “It was tight at the time and he asked me to push a little on the outside to avoid contact. I understood his concerns and obliged. We didn’t want to get in a situation like we have seen in this competition.”
Simon Koech and Amos Serem faded to seventh (8:09.26-season’s best) and 14th (8:19.74) respectively.
