Kirui ready to shine in Southsea
Over a shorter distance but with a bigger one in mind, the world marathon champion, Abel Kirui, is to compete at the Bupa Great South Run next Sunday.
The 29-year-old Kenyan, who retained his marathon title in Daegu last month by finishing almost two and a half minutes ahead of the field – the largest winning margin in world championship history – takes star billing for the 10-mile course, which snakes through Southsea and also sees the involvement of Great Britain's European 10,000 silver medalist, Chris Thompson.
For Kirui, the race presents an opportunity to further hone his skills ahead of next year's Olympics, for which he is favourite for gold having been having pre-selected by Athletics Kenya this month.
"Kirui and Thompson are big signings for this year's race. I'm sure they will make a big impact," said Peter Riley, the elite athletes manager of the Great South Run. "Abel in particular is on a real high. The Kenyan selectors have taken a great weight from his shoulders, given that he will not have to undertake another qualifying race. He's also celebrating his promotion in the Kenyan Administration Police. After his victory in Daegu his employees elevated him from sergeant to chief inspector."
Looking ahead to London, the runner, who could become the fifth Kenyan to win the Great South Run in the past six years, said: "I will train and focus well to make sure I have an Olympic gold around my neck."
Rugby told it has to stick with Sevens
The Rugby World Cup has reached its finale, but for those captivated by the highs and tries that took place in New Zealand over the past seven weeks comes some bad news – the 15-man game appears as unlikely as ever to feature at the Olympics according to the movement's most powerful figure.
Speaking in Auckland ahead of the final between hosts New Zealand and France, Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "We can't ask a [15-a-side] team to play four or five games in 16 days. It isn't feasible."
Rugby fans can take heart, however, from the return of Sevens to the Olympic schedule from 2016. The scaled-down version of the sport first appeared at the 1924 Paris Games and will return for the event in Rio de Janeiro. According to Rogge, the event could see the involvement of some of rugby's biggest names.
"I'm sure with the evolution of Sevens that players will be tempted to go to the Olympics," he said: "It may not be that easy, because the transition is not easy to do – it requires different skills. But yes, it can happen."
