The Standard reports...Axed Berlin 10,000m runner, Sammy Kitwara, has branded the decision to crush his World Championship dream as excessive and inconsiderate on Athletics Kenya (AK)’s part.
Speaking to FeverPitch from Eldoret, Kitwara however, promised to continue training hard to represent his country in international competition.
"I leave it to them to say what they want about me and perhaps, this was not my day and maybe next time, I will be successful and run for Kenya.
"They had not told me it was wrong to compete after selection and since it was my first time in the team, I saw nothing wrong in running in a 10km race," a bitter Kitwara said.
"Even in the meeting we held with the federation just before the trials, no information on whether we would be allowed to compete afterwards was given and since I saw other runners compete abroad, I decided to go," he added.
Kitwara, who won the men’s 10,000m trial in the fastest time ever ran on Kenyan soil (27:44.46) on June 18 was dropped from the Berlin squad after competing and winning the Peachtree Road Race.
Read mischief
On the banning his agent, German Volker Wagner, Kitwara read mischief on AK’s part since the same stern measure was not taken on Gianni Demadonna, whose athlete, Gideon Ngatuny was axed alongside him.
"Why did they do that? What is the difference between what Gianni and Walker did? It seems they want nothing to do with Kitwara," he charged.
His coach and three-time world steeplechase champion, Moses Kiptanui, stood by his runner accusing AK of applying the rule selectively.
"There is something fishy in the whole affair. Why didn’t they tell the athletes it was wrong to compete and why ban only one of the agents involved?" he posed.
AK secretary, David Okeyo, said: "It is obvious that selected athletes should not compete in taxing races and should consult us before they travel."
Kitwara may attempt another entry to the team at the 5,000m trials next Saturday if AK enter him for the event.
"I have not given up on Berlin yet," he asserted.
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