ITEN, Kenya (Reuters) – Twice London marathon
winner Mary Keitany and world champion Edna Kiplagat have vowed to bring the Olympic gold medal home to their Kenyan highland
town of Iten this year.
poses for photographers after winning the women's section of the London Marathon April 17, 2011. REUTERS/Paul Hackett
The two neighbours are back in Iten after dominating Sunday’s London marathon, where they finished
first and second to win selection for the London Games.
“It is a great honour to be named to an Olympics team. We must
now do our part and bring the first women’s Olympic marathon gold medal to our beloved nation,” Keitany told
reporters.
Kiplagat said the pair had run as rivals in London in their bid to make the Olympic team.
“Now that
we are in the team, we will use team work as we gun for the medals,” she said.
“We shall take a break for three weeks
to recover after competing in London. I will only do light jogging before the programme commences.”
World silver
medallists Priscah Jeptoo, who finished third in London, is the other member of the Olympic team.
Meanwhile, world
marathon record holder Patrick Makau said he was shocked by his omission from the men’s team after he failed to finish the
London race.
Wilson Kipsang, who won on Sunday, and twice world champion Abel Kirui, who finished sixth, will
represent Kenya in London along with Moses Mosop who finished third in the Rotterdam marathon this month.
“I thought
the world record would get me an Olympic slot, as they (Athletics Kenya) had indicated when they included me in the
provisional team. Anyway, it is their decision and I cannot contest it,” said Makau.