Thread by @mmnjug

.@WorldAthletics President Sebastian Coe believes the steeplechase is still very much a Kenyan event despite Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali breaking the stranglehold by winning the #OlympicGames gold here last Monday. - @EliasMakori

Kenya has dominated the water jump and barriers race since 1968 when Amos Biwott won the Olympic Games gold in Mexico.

The other winners were:

1972 - Kipchoge Keino
1984 - Julius Korir
1988 - Julius Kariuki
1992 - Mathew Birir
1996 - Joseph Keter
2000 - Reuben Kosgei
2004 - Ezekiel Kemboi
2008 - Brimin Kipruto
2012 - Ezekiel Kemboi
2016 - Conseslus Kipruto

Kenya boycotted the Olympics in 1976 (Montreal) and 1980 (Moscow).

And last Monday, Kenya’s Benjamin Kigen had to settle for the bronze medal in 8:11.45 with El Bakkali taking gold in eight minutes, 8.90 seconds and Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma bagging silver in 8:10.38.

But Coe Thursday said the loss at the Tokyo National Stadium should not necessarily mean that the steeplechase is no longer a Kenyan race.

I do understand the pain that that’s (loss to El Bakkali) caused… I remember in my own country people going ‘why are we not winning necessarily middle distance events any longer.’ It happens. - Sebastian Coe

But the former middle distance Olympic champion and world record holder was quick to point out that dominance doesn’t mean one can rest on his laurels.

Coaching is globalised… there are no secrets anymore. It’s not like 30 or 40 years ago. If you have the right textbook, or you have the right coach to go and talk to - you can go to most websites and the coaching technique is there – then you will make progress. - Coe

The world has caught up with the great performing nations. For instance, US are coming to terms that they don’t dominate sprints anymore… there was also a bit of a panic in Jamaica a few years ago when Usain Bolt left and they were not getting too many Jamaicans into the finals.

But the Jamaican women have sort of dismantled that argument, and the men had two medals in the hurdles this morning, including a win. - Sebastian Coe said referring to the Jamaican gold and bronze in the 110 metres hurdles through Hansle Parchment and Ronald Levy, respectively.

But Coe warned against Kenya resting on her laurels even with the steeplechase dominance.

You have to make sure that you are putting the resources in and keeping ahead of the intelligence, technology and the great coaching. It’s hard to get to the number one position. It’s harder to stay there. - Sebastian Coe

.@WorldAthletics head Sebastian Coe says that the Steeplechase is Kenya's race to keep if they do not rest on their laurels and put in the required investments bit.ly/3iooKBA by @EliasMakori