Confident Kiprotich arrives in Moscow

By Norman Katende in Moscow

THE team of three marathoners have jetted into Moscow confident that their team work will be deliver success in Team Uganda’s quest for a medal. Uganda will be represented by three marathoners at the IAAF World Championships event due Saturday afternoon.

London 2012 Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, Mumbai Marathon winner Jackson Kiprop and Abraham Kiplimo, all arrived aboard an Emirates airline flight via Dubai, together with both the Kenya and Ethiopian men’s marathon teams they will be competing against.

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The trio were received by Embassy official Agnes Birungi. Photo by N

They were received at the Domodedovo International Airport by the second secretary to the Ugandan Embassy in Moscow, Agnes Birungi, who ushered them through immigration before they boarded the bus to Cosmos Hotel, which is Team Uganda’s base for the IAAF World Championships.

Despite spending over seven hours in Dubai during transit, Jackson Kiprop, who was speaking on behalf of his teammates said they were ready for the challenge that awaits them.

‘We have not lost focus. We are ready to go and to challenge the best,” a buoyant Kiprop said before they were led to the bus terminal to hop on one.

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The three marathon runners travelled with their counterparts from Ethiopia and Kenya. Photo by Norman Katende.

Worth noting is that the team travelled with coach Richard Metu, one of the coaches behind  Kiproptich’s success in London, but this time he was putting on different colours. He is now the coach in charge of the Kenyan marathon team.

Kiprotich’s instant concern though the weather and he quickly asked about it and was told it was ‘normal’ to which he simply smiled and said “We shall see.”