World Championships: Kenyan-Born Athletes Running for Other Countries in Doha

As Kenyans compete to lift high the flag in Doha, some ‘compatriots’ are in the race to light higher other countries’ flags because they changed their citizenship.

Here are a few notable faces;

Paul Chelimo, USA

Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo is a Kenyan-born American soldier and track and field athlete. He was born in Iten to father Gabriel Suter and mother Roselyne Cheruiyot, in 1990 and changed his citizenship to American in 2014.

His highest athletic record came in 2016 when he won silver in the 2016 Olympics silver at 5000 meters. He is now representing USA at the ongoing 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha where he lost the 5000m title quest to Ethiopian Muktra Edris on Monday, September 30. he finished at position seven, just below Kenyan Jacob Krop.

Stanley Kebenei, USA

Stanley Kipkoech Kebenei was born on November 6, 1989 in Nakuru, Kenya but he now turns up for United States of America as distance runner. He turned pro in 2015 after running for the University of Arkansas.

He has competed in 3000 meters steeplechase and 5000 meters, and at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, the 29-year old recorded a Personal Best of 8:08.30 in the 3000 Metres Steeplechase Men.

Isaac Kimeli, Belgium

Isaac Kimeli is turning up for Belgium at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships but he is a Kenyan-born middle distance athlete.

He won the silver medal at 2018 European Championships of cross country and the 3,000 m at 2019 European Team Championships in Sandnes. During Memorial Van Damme, he won the 5,000 m with his personal best of 13:13.02, in Bruxelles, on 6 SEP 2019.