Flashback 2016: Steeplechase still safe haven as baton passed

On the eve of the men’s 3000m steeplechase finals, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, two-time Olympics gold medalist and four–time world champion Ezekiel ‘Baba Yao’ Kemboi, publicly announced his retirement before shortly rescinding the decision on a day he passed the crown to a worthy heir-apparent; teammate Conseslus Kipruto.

There could hardly be any other worthy successor in sight to wear his crown with Kipruto who – only at 21 – is already running as fast as anyone has in history and in him Kenya’s continued run of returning a men’s steeplechase winner at every Olympic since 1980 appears safe as ever.

His blistering performance had set him en route to breaking the Olympics record, clinching the coveted medal in 8:03.02 followed closely by Jager (8:04.28) and Mekhissi-Benabbad (8:11.52) who took the silver and bronze medal.

Frenchman Mekhissi-Benabbad had filed a post-race appeal claiming Kemboi – who had initially claimed the bronze – had committed a lane violation.

Kenyan officials had been late to make their counter appeal as Kemboi was consequentially disqualified and Mekhissi-Benabbad elevated to bronze medal.

As the news of his disqualification reached him Kemboi quickly opted out of retirement and swore to defend his title at the London Athletics World Championships next year saying he would only bow out with at least one more medal.

But the sluggishness of the Kenyan officials had left him furious and probably cost him an extra medal to add to his tremendous collection.

“There is a law in the IAAF that if you have to protest within a 30 minutes’ period after the race ends. The officials who were there were on holiday and they went to protest the following day. It was too late by then,” Kemboi said.

It was a sad end for Kemboi at the Rio race, whose kick wasn’t there in the final lap leaving him helpless as Kipruto and American Evan Jager pulled away to take first and second.

A dejected Kemboi had slowed to a walking pace by the time he crossed the line; the news of his disqualification only compounding his disappointment. There would be no sight of his electric celebratory dance moves but for the moment had marked a change of guard as Kipruto stole the show with a powerful performance.

 

Recently during a luncheon in Nandi County where Team Kenya for Olympics and Paralympics were feted, Kemboi warned his fellow athletes against doping as he advocated for a clean sport.

This year, the country has deeply been plagued by the doping menace and as Kenya failed to beat Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) deadline twice, and in May, its Rio dreams suffered a major setback after WADA declared the nation non-compliant.

The news, announced on WADA’s Twitter account: “The #WADA CRC has made the unanimous recommendation that #Kenya be declared non-compliant with immediate effect.

“The CRC cites issues with #Kenya’s legislation which it says is not in line with the World Anti-Doping Code,” the anti-doping agency posted. Wada’s Compliance Review Committee cited issues with “Kenya’s legislation which it says is not in line with the World Anti-Doping Code.”

Relief however came over two months later in early August and barely 24 hours before the onset of the Summer Games when the world body declared Kenya compliant.

“To me fellow athletes let us not be greedy for money where by you are told to take drugs that will enhance your performance to make easy wins. You are going to be banned and you will not be invited to participate in any race. My good training translates to my performance and that is why you see me being invited to several races and I’m paid my dues that have worked for,” he advised.

Famous for his adoration and dancing to the local tune ‘Emily Chepchumba’ by Philip Yegon, Kemboi adds the song reminds him of his spouse Jane Jepchumba.

And just like the artist’s message, Kemboi says he tells his wife despite being thousands of miles apart representing his country he still thinks and misses her dearly.

“My dear younger athletes think of something else you can do after winning a race, do not just walk away and when you are asked how the race was you say it was good.  Do something like Usain Blot does after winning a race. We usually meet on several occasions because of what we do after winning the race. You can even speak your mother tongue they will look for interpreters. You can even say kalale ma!  (It was hot!).”

-Additional reporting by Charity Wanja.

Tags:

Conseslus Kipruto athletics Ezekiel Kemboi Steeplechase

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