Experienced 2019 World Athletics bronze medallist in men’s 800m Ferguson Rotich says he has been talking to the other Kenyan ‘boys’ to sketch on possible ways to defend the gold medal and a potential clean sweep in Budapest, Hungary.

The 33-year old Kericho born athlete will be competing at the World Championships for the fifth time since making his debut in Russia’s capital in 2013 and believes he has seen much at the global stage that will be of immense value to his counterparts in team Kenya’s 800m.

“I will talk to the boys, I have been in the team since 2013 and therefore I have the much needed experience. I will guide them how to go about it and how to tackle these big stages of competitions such as World Championships,” Rotich said.

Rotich who has been troubled with injury for the better part of last year won a silver medal two years ago at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after clocking 1:45.23, finishing a few seconds behind the winner Emmanuel Korir.

“We have a good team and all the athletes who made the cut are capable of a podium finish. This will be about team work because championships are not like Diamond Leagues or these other races.

“You have to be so keen on details on rounds, semi-finals and the finals. I think Kenya will deliver despite the fact that there is tough opposition.”

Kenya will line up reigning world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir, 2020 World Under-20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi (19), 2020 World Under-20 Silver medallist Alex Ngeno and the experienced Ferguson Rotich.

Korir and Wanyonyi have had injury scares going into the competitions but there is a sigh of relief from team Kenya camp after the duo were given clean bill of health to step on the track for the two lap event.