World 1500m silver medallist Elijah Manang’oi is gearing up for the Diamond League debut on Friday.
Manang’oi is in a rich startlist that also has world and Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop, Bethwell Birgen, Vincent Kibet, former Commonwealth champion Silas Kiplagat and Ethiopian duo of Dawit Wolde and Aman Wote among others.
“I know competition will be tough going by the names in the startlist but I have prepared well for it.
It will be very hard to predict the winner," said Manang'oi
who won silver at the Beijing Worlds last August.
The lanky runner
revealed he is focusing on the Rio Olympic Games and will therefore restrict his participation in the DL series.
“I am focusing more on Rio and will therefore run only three races; Doha (May 6), Rabat (May 22) and Rome (June 2), before concentrating on the national trials to Rio,” he said.
A host of other Kenyan beaters will be on parade with 3000m steeplchase DL trophy holder Jairus Birech starting his title defence.
Birech also revealed he is restricting himself to just three races - Doha (May 6) Rome (June 2), Monaco (July 15) in preserving himself for the Olympics before competing in the Brussels series ender on September 9.
“My dream is to get an Olympic medal. Such a medal can change someone’s life completely and comes after four years,” said Birech.
He will encounter a number of compatriots including world and Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Conseslus Kipruto, former trophy winner Paul Kipsiele Koech, Olympic bronze medallist Abel Mutai as well as Moroccan duo of Hicham Sigueni and Brahim Taleb.
World 800m bronze medallist Eunice Sum starts her trophy defence in the company of compatriot Winnie Chebet with South Africa’s Caster Semenya, world leader over 400m and 800m, the biggest threat.
World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot will parade in the 3000m race alongside former Commonwealth champion Mercy Cherono, Commonwealth Games 5000m silver medallist Janet Kisa as well as world 500m champion Ayana Almaz.