Cheruiyot eyeing Olympic slot as he opens season in Doha

World 1,500 meters champion Timothy Cheruiyot leads a big Kenyan contingent of competition-starved athletes who will line up in different disciplines at the Wanda Diamond League (DL) on Friday, 28 May. 

Cheruiyot will be seeking his maiden win in Doha's leg of the DL, in what will be his first race since winning the men's 1,500m race during the World Athletics' Continental Tour, Kip Keino Classic on October 3, last year at the Nyayo National Stadium. 

Four Kenyans, including Cheruiyot, are on the start list of the 1500m race. The others include Bethwell Birgen, Vincent Kibet and his teammate at Rongai Athletics Club Timothy Sein. From a field of 15 on the start list, six men have run this season with home runner Adam Ali Musab the fastest this season with a 3:32.41.  

"We are using the Doha event as part of his (Cheruiyot) build up to the Olympics trials set for June 17 to 19 at Kasarani. The focus this year is the Olympics so we are not going for time in Doha. Seeing as he has not competed on the track this season, there is uncertainty in terms what might happen but he is under no pressure," said his coach Bernard Ouma. 

Cheruiyot last competed in Doha last year in September, electing to race in 800m where he finished eighth. He will be looking to avenge his 2019 Diamond League performance where he finished second, losing to club-mate, Elijah Manang'oi, in what was his only defeat that year in the DL. 

"We have not had the opportunities to field him due to the pandemic, which also denied us a chance to compete in last week's Gateshead DL. His last competition was in the Nation cross-country. However, everyone has been affected equally so we are not going to be at a disadvantage," added the coach.

Cheruiyot will face competition from Musab, the world-leading 1500m star and Stewart McSweyn, Australia’s 1500m national record holder. The loaded field also includes Ethiopia's Samuel Tefera, the world indoor 1500m champion and Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the 2019 world bronze medalist in the 3000m SC.