Great Moses! Manchester, watch out!

09 July 2001

Kenyan superstar Moses Kiptanui has already pencilled the Commonwealth Games into his schedule for next year. And if all goes according to plan, Manchester 2002 will mark the legendary 3000m steeplechaser's first appearance at the Games.

The 1996 Olympic silver medallist did not compete at the 1994 Games in Victoria or the Kuala Lumpur event four years later. But, as he tells www.commonwealthgames.com exclusively, he aims to be out there gunning for gold at the City of Manchester Stadium in a year from now.

And even if he is not a member of the squad for an event that the Kenyans have dominated for over a decade, Kiptanui will be making his first visit to Manchester. "I intend to be out there on the track because I don't want these young guys thinking they can beat me!" said the 29-year-old three-time world champion after a London training session.

"But even if I am not involved in the team I will be there to cheer the boys along. I've never been to Manchester and I'm looking forward to the Games. It should be a big event."

What's more, Kiptanui admits he has an ulterior motive for wanting to make the trip... he's a Manchester United fan. "I've always supported them," says the former world record holder at this gruelling event. "The trouble is, I also support Liverpool so that makes life a bit difficult when they are playing each other."

Football has been the last thing on his mind recently, though, as he has battled to overcome a string of troublesome injuries in time for the Grand Prix season and the Athletics World Championships at Edmonton.

But once the season has been dusted down and he has time to put his feet up back home, Kiptanui's thoughts will once again turn towards Manchester 2002 and, hopefully, his Games debut.

"The last two Commonwealth Games have been a problem," explains Kiptanui. "At Victoria in 1994, the Games were held right in the middle of the Grand Prix season and a lot of athletes didn't want to break up their schedule. It would have meant a long flight and a complete change of surroundings at an important time of the season."

"And Kuala Lumpur in 1998 came right at the end of the season when people were tired and carrying injuries. But," asserts Kiptanui, "Manchester will be different. Most of the athletes are based in Europe at that time of the year so the travel will not be a problem at all. And even if people are coming from Kenya, the flight will be nothing like as long as the journey to Canada."

"So I think you'll find the Kenyans will be looking to select their strongest team this time and prepare very well for the Manchester Games," Kiptanui warns.

Taking into account that the Kenyans have scooped eight of the nine medals up for grabs at this event in the last three Games, that sounds like ominous news for the rest of the opposition.