Kipruto to launch season at Monaco Diamond League
Nairobi, Wednesday
Olympic and world 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto has confirmed he will make his season debut at the Monaco Diamond League on August 14.
The 25-year-old will be among a number of Kenyan athletes starved of competition a major race for the first time in almost nine months as sports events return after lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Speaking from Eldoret on Tuesday, Kipruto said he would be out gunning for a fast time.
“I am ready. Monaco here I come. It will be fire on Aug. 14,” Kipruto told Xinhua.
However, despite receiving an official invite to compete in Monaco, Kipruto is praying the Kenya government gets the clearance from the European Union to be able to travel to Monaco.
The EU has listed Rwanda, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia as the only countries from Africa whose citizens are allowed to enter their region from July 1.
“Travel restrictions should be lifted for countries listed in the recommendation, with this list being reviewed and, as the case may be, updated every two weeks,” EU said in a statement on July 1.
However, Kipruto said he is hopeful Athletics Kenya and Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs will secure a special exemption for athletes as they seek to restart their season.
“I know the organisers of the race in Monaco and Athletics Kenya are in negotiation in regard to overcoming the travel challenge.
We might be forced to take Covid-19 tests and be given certificates to confirm our status before traveling,” Kipruto said.
Kipruto won gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
He also won the World Youth and in 2012 the World Junior titles in the steeplechase. - XINHUA
