Sammy Kitula
25 September 2008
Nairobi — Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru has pulled out of next month's IAAF World Half Marathon Championship in Rio de Janeiro citing fatigue.
Wanjiru, the fastest man in the world over the distant with a time of 59.33 minutes, had been named by Athletic Kenya in a team of seven men and seven women for the October 12 meeting.
Athletics Kenya public relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, said: "The Olympic champion said he is tired after running in Beijing and asked to be replaced.
"We understood his position as a federation and the most justifiable thing to do for him was to honour his wish," said Angwenyi.
Wanjiru, the youngest Olympic marathon gold medallist ever, at 21, had stated upon his arrival from Beijing that his mission was to bring back home the world marathon record title.
"I have accomplished what I had planned for, to win an Olympic gold medal and that's done. But the job ahead is of much importance and I will aim at breaking the world record in Berlin next year," said Wanjiru.
Ethiopian's record
Wanjiru has vowed to face the reigning world champion Haile Gebrselassie in the next year's Berlin Marathon in a bid to reduce the Ethiopian's 2.04.26 world record.
Turin marathon winner, Stephen Kibiwot, will now take Wanjiru's ticket to Rio.
The Kenya team:
Men: Stephen Kibiwot, Patrick Musyoki, Joseph Nganga, Mekubo Mogusu, Elijah Keitany, Francis Larabar.
Women: Philes Ongori, Penninah Arusei, Julia Muraga, Pamela Chepchumba, Lenah Cheruiyot, Philomena Cheyech and Pauline Wangui.
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