Kenya's Olympic team steps up training
30/7/2008 17:32
Kenya's Olympic team has stepped up training with coaches racing against
the clock to get runners in top shape for the Beijing Games in August.
A
local daily, the Standard, reported today that rigorous training was evident
with runners required to post very quick times during their intervals and they
did not disappoint.
"We are now engaging the runners in high speed over short
distances and a longer recovery time. The team is in shape and we have no
complaints," Peter Mathu, the assistant coach said.
"We started training at 6
a.m. with a group of middle distance runners heading for long run exercises in
Ngong and we brought the rest in Nairobi (Nyayo Stadium)," he added.
Head
coach, Julius Kirwa, said his team was discussing with the National Olympic
Committee to explore the possibility of some athletes departing on August 5, six
days before they are scheduled to leave (August 11).
"We want the 10,000m and
1,500m runners to get used to the conditions there," Kirwa said. The athletics
program begins on Aug. 15.
Fourteen Paralympians trained together with the
national team in Nairobi camp as that squad also stepped up it's training for
the Paralympics Games that will follow the main action in Beijing.
Coach
Milare said that Adimo was expected in on Friday and his team will depart for
Beijing on August 27. "We will move to residential training at Kasarani later in
the week. The team is okay and focused on winning," Milare said.
World record
holder, Wanyoike, said that they were seeking to better their performance at
last year's All Africa Games where the team won five gold medals.
Xinhua
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