Rudisha to miss world champs as Kenya names preliminary team

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — David Rudisha didn’t take part in the Kenyan trials and will miss this month’s world championships as he struggles to get over thigh and back injuries that have kept him out of top-level competition for more than two years.

The 800-meter world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion says he’s aiming to return to competition at the start of next season in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. He says “winning a third Olympic gold medal next year is a big motivation for me.”

Kenya announced a 49-member preliminary squad for the worlds in Doha, Qatar, after the trials ended Friday.

The team has four athletes who won gold two years ago in London. Elijah Manangoi (men’s 1,500 meters), Conseslus Kipruto (men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase), Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon (women’s 1,500) and Hellen Obiri (women’s 5,000) will all defend their titles in Doha.