Jelimo rouses camp

By Omulo Okoth

The Kenyan camp here was thrown in a frenzy on Wednesday evening. Pamela Jelimo, whose gold medal chances in the women’s 800m is highly likely, made an unexpected arrival accompanied by 1,500m runner Nicholas Kemboi, sending the camp into an ecstatic celebration.

The two joined the other runners in the morning run and were taking it easy, counting the days, as the clock ticks towards the start of athletics programme.

Officials were competing to take pictures with her on Thursday, attracting attention from passers-by, many who recognised the Kenyan prodigy who has taken the athletics world by storm this year. She has won all her races in the Golden League after claiming an African title in Addis Ababa last April.

Best chance

“I am in good shape and just waiting for the race,” Jelimo, who turns 19 in December, said.

Kemboi, 19, who was third behind Augustine Choge and Asbep Kiprop at the National Trials on July 5, will make Olympic debut.

“This is the best chance I have to launch my career and won’t let it go,” said the former student of Kabimoi Secondary in Koibatek. “All I am looking for is the final. If any medal comes by, it will be a big plus for me,” he said.

David Kimutai, who has won the 20km walk in many African competitions, said this time he is ripe for a medal. “I was number 20 in Atlanta and also in Sydney Olympics. I missed Athens. Now is the time to fight for a medal and I think I am in the spirit of doing so,” said the 37-year-old corporal at fourth Brigade (1KR) in Nanyuki.

He won gold at the African Championships in Bambous, Mauritius, in 2006. At the All Africa Games, he won in Johannesburg in 1999, was second in Harare in 1995 and last year in Algeria. He missed the 2003 edition in Abuja and Olympics the following year.

Boxer upbeat

Meanwhile, light-heavyweight boxer Aziz Ali knows the burden he is carrying here. He will be the first in the ring and his performance will influence his compatriots. “I am going for weigh-in tomorrow (Friday) and stepping in the ring on Saturday. I must win because if I don’t, I may demoralise our boxers,” Ali of Prisons told FeverPitch matter-of-factly.

“We want to bring the old flame of Hit Squad. We are few here but shall surprise these guys,” he said in a manner that reminds of the tenacity of Kenyan boxers of 1980s like the late Harold Obunga, Sylvanus ‘Sulu’ Okello, Stephen Mwema and the like.

Team-mates, featherweight Nick Okoth and light-fly Suleiman Wanjau Bilali could not agree more. Although speaking at different times, the two shared Ali’s feelings.

“I respect my opponents, especially Cubans and Russians, but I don’t fear them. I fear nobody except God,” said the Kenya Police sergeant, who lost to ultimate silver medalist from Spain, Lozano Munoz at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Courtesy of:http://www.eastandard.net/sports