Kenyan athletes mull Bristol pre-Olympic camp

Kenyan athletes are weighing up a pre-Olympic training camp in Bristol, west of England, where they could receive three-week low altitude training ahead of the London Olympics next month. The training camp, chosen by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) last November, is expected to start on July 3, but most of the top middle and long distance athletes say it will not be favourable as an altitude switch would have a negative impact on their performances at the Olympics. NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino, a two-time Olympic 1,500 metres gold medallist, has however stressed that the Bristol camp was mandatory and beneficial for the Kenyans. "Noah Ngeny trained in the United Kingdom and won the Olympic 1500m gold medal in Sydney in 2000. Bristol has the best training facilities that can be used by any team and our athletes should give it a try before going to London," said Keino, who launched a stadium named after him in the British city 19 months ago. But the athletes, who make up the bulk of the Kenyan Olympic contingent want to train at home before travelling to the British capital. Kenya will also compete in boxing and swimming in the July 27-August 12 Games.