Why Evans Chebet missed Team Kenya's Olympic marathon team

Evans Chebet's coach Claudio Berardelli has explained why Evans Chebet, one of the most consistent marathoners in the world, was not included in Kenya's Olympic marathon team.

Evans Chebet’s coach Claudio Berardelli has opened up on the former New York City Marathon champion’s current condition and why he did not make the cut to Team Kenya’s Olympic team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Chebet withdrew from his title defense at last year’s New York City Marathon due to an injury and his coach has noted that the two-time Boston Marathon champion is now doing well.

He has been training well as he gears up for his third title at the Boston Marathon, a feat that would undoubtedly make him one of the greatest and most consistent marathoners.

“The Achilles injury has been bothering him since New York, I mean, he could have run the New York City Marathon so we had to be cautious.

“Here and there we had to lessen some training techniques, especially the tough ones but Evans is experienced and knows how to handle himself.

“I’m counting on his experience and since he has run many races here…but remember, Boston is just Boston and it is not an easy race,” Berardelli told Citius Mag.

The veteran tactician also noted that when Athletics Kenya reached out to Chebet, he was still battling an injury and was unsure about when he would feel better.

Berardelli knew that immediately saying yes would put Chebet under a lot of pressure since he was also training for Boston at the time. However, after the Boston Marathon, if he does well, Chebet would now revisit his chances of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“When Athletics Kenya asked for the interest from the athletes, Evans was still kind of nursing the injury and was a little bit under pressure because Boston would be his 29th marathon.

“Maybe he didn’t express his 100% interest but of course now he is here and he wants to see how Boston will go.

“If Athletics Kenya can call him after that and have a discussion, it shall be great but if not, he will still be okay since Kenya has very many potential marathoners. Kenya has many strong athletes and it’s a headache for Athletics Kenya to select a team for the marathon,” he said.

posted Saturday April 13th
by Abigael Wuafula