'Kenya losing out in world cross country'

Kenya are losing out in cross country running and unless a remedy to stop the sharp decline is identified, the country will suffer in the Beijing Olympics, former world cross country champion Paul Tergat said on Monday.

Tergat said it was very disappointing to see Kenya fail to win any individual title at the just-concluded World cross championships in Edinburgh for the first time ever since 1986.

"It is the worst ever in Kenya's history," said the five-time world champion, the last Kenyan to win the men's individual 12 km title in 1999.

"We don't have any individual medals - all of them went to the Ethiopians - it was a disaster," said Tergat, adding that Kenya should not use the violence that followed the disputed December elections as an excuse for the debacle in Edinburgh.

He acknowledged that the modes of training have changed the world over and said Kenya needs to seriously address the issue of coaching ahead of the Olympics. He warned that declining standards might affect the team in Beijing.

"If we don't have the national team in training camp for two months to enhance team work, it is going to be very difficult for the Kenyans," Tergat said.