Yomi Omogbeja (26/06/2004)

Reigning Olympic champion Noah Ngeny misses out on Athens after failing to finish the 1500m at the Kenya Olympics trials.

Kenyan selectors allowed Ngeny to run in yesterday’s final of the 1500m despite having been eliminated at the semi-final stage of Friday but he did not finish the race

The trio of Isaac Songok, Bernard Lagat and Timothy Kiptanui will now represent Kenya at the summer games.

Songok clocked 3:35.4 to consign the Olympics bronze medallist Bernard Lagat to the second place in a time of 3:35.7 with Timothy Kiptanui third in 3:36.0.

Sydney Olympics 1500m champion Noah Ngeny said the defeat had shattered his Olympics dream as he has been trying to find his form for most of the last four years.
"I lost and I am not bitter at all and I congratulate the winners today," he said.

The 25-year-old has been plagued by hip problems and only started serious track training three months ago.

‘Fading badly’

Ngeny had undergone a rigorous training regime since the beginning of the season having recently been certified fit to compete again by his doctors.

According to IAAF freelance Peter Njenga, Ngeny showed a lot of promise during the semi-finals on Friday.

He remains “fifth during the first two laps of his 1500m semi final (the second heat). He grabbed the lead at the bell but apparently broke away too early as he began to slow up after 50m. Yet he was still in contention with 70m to go but then started fading badly, ending up fifth and out of the final.”

Kenyan Athens Olympics team

Men

400m: Vincent Mumo, Ezra Sambu
800m: Wilfred Bungei, Michael Rotich, Joseph Mutua
1500: Isaac Songok, Bernard Lagat, Timothy Kiptanui
5000m: Eliud Kipchoge, John Kibowen, Abraham Chebii
10,000m: John Korir, Moses Mosop + one other**
3000m steeplechase: Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto, Abraham Cherono

Marathon: Paul Tergat, Eric Wainaina, Sammy Korir

Women

5000m: Jane Wanjiku, Isabella Ochichi
10,000m: Alice Timbilil Lucy Wangui
Marathon: Catherine Ndereba, Margaret Okayo, Alice Chelangat.

Team Manager: E.K. Njeru, Assistant: Alice Adala.
Coaches: Dan Muchoki, Mike Kosgei, Joseph Chesire.