Kimetto eyes World Athlete of Year award
World Marathon world record holder Dennis Kimetto (left) flanked by Athletics Chairman President Isiah Kiplagat before the start of a press conference on October 1, 2014 in Nairobi. Kimetto is confident of winning the male 2014 World Athletes of the Year in Monaco on November 21, 2014. PHOTO | TONY KIRUMBA |
What you need to know:
- David Rudisha is the only Kenyan to have won the male World Athlete of the Year award in 2010 at the age of 21, making him the youngest ever to achieve that feat.
- No Kenyan athlete in a list of 12 athletes set to be inducted in the IAAF Hall of Fame but legendry Kipchoge Keino was among the first 24 inductees in 2013.
- Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj is the only African in the new list of Inductees.
Kenya’s World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto is confident of winning the male 2014 World Athletes of the Year Friday in Monaco.
The 30-year-old Kimetto was due to leave the country last night for the 2014 World Athletics Gala at the Chapiteau de Fontvielle where the IAAF family will be celebrating this season’s achievements.
Hosted by International Athletics Foundation (IAF) President Prince Albert II of Monaco and IAF/ IAAF President Lamine Diack, the Gala will be highlighted by the announcement of the male and female 2014 World Athletes of the Year.
Kimetto is battling it out with high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim from Qatar and French pole vaulter, who made it to the final three in men’s list.
“I am confident of victory since many people have voted for me,” said Kimetto, who broke the world marathon record at the Berlin Marathon on September 28 in a time of 2:02:57 and became the first man to run under 2:03.
David Rudisha is the only Kenyan to have won the male World Athlete of the Year award in 2010 at the age of 21, making him the youngest ever to achieve that feat.
IAAF HALL OF FAME
Kimetto said he will compete in a 10km race in The Netherlands on December 7 before participating in selected cross country races locally.
Kimetto said he hopes to make the World Cross Country Championships due March next year in Guiyang, China.
“For sure I want to make the Kenyan team for the World Cross next year,” said Kimetto adding that he will disclose his calendar for next year soon.
“I also want to represent Kenya at the World Championships next year but that will depend on Athletics Kenya.”
During the IAAF Gala, 12 legendary athletes - including multiple World and Olympic champions and former World record-holders - will also be inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame.
KIPCHOGE KEINO
No Kenyan athlete in a list of 12 athletes set to be inducted in the IAAF Hall of Fame but legendry Kipchoge Keino was among the first 24 inductees in 2013.
Inaugurated in 2012 as part of the IAAF’s centenary celebrations, the IAAF Hall of Fame welcomed 24 athletes in its first year, followed by 12 more athletes in 2013.
Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj is the only African in the new list of Inductees.
El Guerrouj becomes the youngest man to be inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame, having just turned 40 in September 2014 and barely a decade after he ran his last international race.
He first came to international attention when he won the 1500m at the 1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships and then took the silver medal at the same distance at the IAAF World Championships the same year.
