Kenya will not be fielding four athletes in the women’s marathon team at the World Athletics Championships after a late withdrawal by Olympic champion Peres Jepchichir (pictured) due to a hip injury ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.

Team Kenya manager David Rono Bunei yesterday told People Sport that there was no time to slot in a replacement for the injured medal prospect with the deadline elapsing some three days before the start of the championships.

“I don’t think we have enough time to do a replacement,” said Bunei at the team’s residential base at Moi International Sports Center Kasarani.

He added: “We already have three strong ladies in camp, because of the issue of whereabouts of athletes which has to be done there days before the start of the event and already we had submitted the four names. So we have no option.”

Jepchirchir was a late entrant to the women’s marathon team for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where she clinched gold in a 1-2 podium finish for Kenya, with Brigid Kosgei scooping silver. She had been drafted in to replace Maureen Jepkemoi

With the World Athletics Championships starting Friday in Eugene, Oregon, United States, the team is left with defending champion Ruth Chepng’etich, Paris Marathon champion Judith Jeptum, and Angela Tanui, who finished fourth at this year’s Tokyo Marathon on March 6.

“ We have already sent the flight tickets to the the marathon teams that have been training separately in Eldoret, Kapsabet and Ngong. They are expected to to link up with the rest before departure,” added Bunei while clarifying that the athletes will be traveling In different batches.

On her part Jepchirchir shared her disappointment at losing the opportunity to add a world title to a stellar collection of accolades. She however hopes to heal in time to defend her New York City Marathon crown on November 6.

“I am so disappointed but I would rather not aggravate the injury since we still have another world event next year before my Olympic title defence at the 2024 Paris Summer Games,” said Jepchirchir.

The men’s marathon race will be held on July 17, the third day of the championships, while the women’s race will take place the following day.