Kenya's David Rudisha and Asbel Kiprop opt out of Commonwealth Games
By Richard Cooke
Last Updated: 04/04/18 6:18pm
Kenya's 800 metres Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha will not seek selection for this year's Commonwealth Games.
Team officials say two-time Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop is also making himself unavailable.
A total of 170 athletes have been invited for the one-day Kenyan trials in Nairobi on Saturday, during which the first three runners across the line will earn automatic qualification for the championships on Australia's Gold Coast in April.
But with the Commonwealth Games coming at an unusual time in the track season, before the summer, athletes have been forced to choose between the event or continuing their preparations for the outdoor track season.
Kenyan team bosses said both Rudisha and Kiprop have opted to focus on the season of lucrative Diamond League meetings which start in Doha in May.
Others notable absentees include the world 10,000m silver medallist Geoffrey Kamworor, who is preparing to defend his world half-marathon title in Valencia on March 24,
The women's Olympic and world 1500m champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon is expecting her first baby, while the women's world half-marathon defending champion, Peres Jepchirchir, is also on maternity leave.
Kenya topped the medal table in athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 10 gold medals, 10 silver and five bronze.
