The 2017 world 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi is keen to return to Team Kenya after three years in the cold.
Manangoi has been out of action since 2020 following his suspension owing to an anti-doping rule violation.
The last time Manangoi represented the country internationally was at the 2019 World Cross-country Championships in Denmark.
The National Police Service officer will this weekend take part in the national trials for the World Cross-country Championships, where he will be hoping to make the cut for Team Kenya. The trials will be held at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru.
“Right now, my goal is to qualify for the World Cross Country Championships…I’ll be happy to represent my country again after three years out of action,” Manangoi said, adding that he will also be eyeing next year’s World Championships in Budapest.
The 2015 world 1,500m champion said his invitation to the trials means a lot to him and qualifying for the global event will be a huge step towards what he termed as a new chapter in his career.
“Being selected for the trials matters a lot to me. My life is now going back to complete normalcy because I have started competing,” he said.
Manangoi said his body is responding well to training and he is ready to compete. “Training is going on well and my body is responding well. I have no injuries and I don’t feel nervous. I am ready!”
During the three-year stalemate, Manangoi said he was spending time with his family and also running his own business empire.
“I never gave up on training too…I spent most of my time working on my strength and endurance. That's why I don't feel any pressure at all,” he added.
Commenting on the doping menace in the country, Manangoi urged the young athletes to run clean. “There is no shortcut to victory. The drill is always to train hard and win easily. Let no one deceive you,” he said.
Meanwhile, head coach Julius Kirwa is bubbling with excitement ahead of the national trials. Kirwa said everything is ready and they are putting the final touches on the event.
"My expectations are very high. Many athletes wanted to compete for slots to represent the country and that's a good thing. Let's hope it doesn't rain," Kirwa said.
He, however, noted that they have made some adjustments to the course. “The course is tough. We have added man-made hills and hay. We also want to set up muddy stations,” Kirwa said, adding that there will be restrictions on the fan access. Kirwa said there will be a stationed tent where athletes will be tested.
