MANCHESTER, England - Two-time world champion Bernard Lagat believes Kenyan runners will excel at the Beijing Olympics despite the ethnic violence sweeping his homeland.
Kenya-born Bernard Lagat (C) of the U.S. crosses the finish line ahead of Kenyan Eluid Kipchoge (R) and Matthew Tegenkamp (L) to win the men's 5000 metres final at the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Osaka September 2, 2007. [Agencies] |
Lagat, who became a U.S. citizen three years ago, is dismayed by the postelection turmoil wracking the East African nation but sees hope for the future.
"Once the violence is finished the athletes will continue to train really hard because Kenya has been a breeding ground for athletes as great ambassadors," Lagat told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday.
"One thing I know for a fact is that Kenya will still perform really well at the Olympics.
"They are going to make the Kenyan name great again in the way they've always been doing in all sports - cross-country, marathon - you name it. They've always been carrying the Kenyan flag everywhere and I think that is what Kenya needs right now and athletes are going to the ones to do that."
The disturbances, which erupted in the aftermath of the disputed December 27 presidential poll, have already claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including at least two Kalenjin runners.
Former Olympic runner Lucas Sang was hacked to death on December 31 and marathon runner Wesly Ngetich was shot with an arrow and died on Monday.
"It is alway."
While Lagat lives in Tucson, Arizona, most of his family, including his parents, still live in Kenya.
"I keep in touch all the time to see if they are safe, they are really safe and not affected at all," Lagat said.
"Kenya is my country of birth and it's sad to see what's happening right now, but I know for a fact that things will change for the better. It has been a peaceful country and it will be a peaceful country again."
Lagat became the first athlete to win both the 1,500 and 5,000 at the same world championships when he completed the double last year in Osaka, Japan.
On Saturday, Lagat returns to the Scottish track where he achieved his first victory as an American a year ago.
He will be competing again in the 1,500 at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow. Also in the field will be Kenyan runner Shadrack Korir, who won the bronze in the 1,500 in Osaka.
