This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
With the Tokyo Olympic Games now set for 2021, Athletics Kenya's senior deputy president in charge of competitions, Paul Mutwii, has hinted that the country's marathon teams may undergo changes.
Speaking on Thursday, Mutwii noted that a lot could happen between now and the Olympic Games, given the new Olympic qualification guidelines issued by World Athletics for July 23 to August 8, 2021.
The Games were postponed from July 24 to August 9 this year to the same period next year due to concerns over the coronavirus spread.
World Athletics has also set a new qualifying period for track and field events, which will end on June 29, 2021, just 23 days before the start of the world's biggest sporting event.
According to World Athletics' four-year strategic plan and Olympic qualifying process, the marathon and race walk entry period will elapse on May 31, 2021.
World marathon record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei were picked to lead 'Team Kenya' over the 42-kilometre race at the Tokyo Olympics on January 31 this year.
The men's team also includes World Championships marathon bronze medallist Amos Kipruto and Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono, with Bedan Karoki and Titus Ekiru as reserves.
Besides Kosgei, the women's team has 2018 London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot, world champion Ruth Chepng'etich, and Valary Aiyabei and Sally Chepyego as reserves.
