This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
As the 2019 season comes to a close, Kenyan athletes are shifting their focus to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The year saw a mix of good and poor performances in track and field, with some notable successes.
One of the standout performers was Timothy Cheruiyot, who won the world 1,500m title and became the only athlete to hit a sub 3:30 time this season. He sealed his third consecutive Diamond League Trophy and a world title.
Cheruiyot attributed his success to a successful season and a focus on building up for next year's Olympics. 'I had a successful season. I have started the build up for next season, where I focus on Tokyo Olympics. I am targeting an Olympic title,' he said.
Beatrice Chepkoech also had a successful season, shaving eight seconds off the women's world record in the 3,000m steeplechase to win the Diamond League meet in Monaco. She was keen to avoid a repeat of her 2017 London World Athletics Championships performance, where a miscalculation at the water jump messed her up.
Other notable performances came from Hellen Obiri, who retained her 5,000m title at the World Championships, and Conseslus Kipruto, who defended his world title in the 3000m steeplechase despite missing out on the entire season due to injury.
However, the season was not without its setbacks for Kenyan athletes. Rhonex Kipruto won bronze in the 10,000m, but the men's 5,000m final saw Jacob Krop come in sixth place. The World Athletics decision to scrap the 3000m steeplechase in the Diamond League races also remains a major setback for the nation.
