Youssef Kamel return to Kenya (give up Bahrain)

[gabyandersen]

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.as ... ueID=31258

[eldrick]

"We have provided all the necessary conditions for him to succeed, but unfortunately he never reached his true potential,"

blimey !

1'42.79 !!!???

[joeltetreault]

"We have provided all the necessary conditions for him to succeed, but unfortunately he never reached his true potential,"

blimey !

1'42.79 !!!???

Yeah it's a little strange since he has run 1:43.XX or better ever since joining Bahrain in 2003. Maybe they're referring to his championship record? Aside from his bronze at the WIC this year, he has not medaled at an Oly or World Championships. In fact, this Olympics was the first major championship meet where he has made the final.

[Jaack]

From what I gather, It's more that he has been sent packing. Does anyone foresee and issue with Kenya not allowing him to race at the majors, leaving him off teams etc?

[hammer forever]

what will his choice for a name be now that he is not representing an Arabic country?

[gh]

He originally ran as Gregory Konchellah

[Flumpy]

From what I gather, It's more that he has been sent packing. Does anyone foresee and issue with Kenya not allowing him to race at the majors, leaving him off teams etc?

I'd tell him exactly where to go.

[ndamix]

He originally ran as Gregory Konchellah

Related to Billy Konchellah?

[AS]

He originally ran as Gregory Konchellah

Related to Billy Konchellah?

Yes, son

[The Captain]

It seems as though he is going through with it.
Two articles on http://www.labatet.com would seem to confirm that he has revoked his Bahrain "residency".
I'd be delighted to see the name Konchellah back on the circuit, although his cousin Felix may well appear in the near future.
It's a shame his father's reputation has accumulated some unwanted baggage since his retirement - not track related.

[gh]

I remember he was going to trial; did he end up in the slam?

[The Captain]

Wiki (I know, I know) suggests he was acquitted of UK charges (rape), but deported to Finland and convicted of separate charges there. He's clearly back in Kenya now and an official with one of the regional branches of the Kenyan federation.

[Pego]

I'll dare a prophecy that Gregory Konchellah is not the last of this wave of repatriates to depart their "adopted" country.

[gh]

and in the coming-back-to-bite-you-in-the-ass department, a European friend notes that the Kenyan Federation is lobbying like mad to have Kamel/Konchellah back instantly ready to represent them..... the same Kenyan Federation, of course, that blocked Bernard Lagat's chances to do the same for another country (and in an earlier era, Wilson Kipketer).

[kamikaze7]

and in the coming-back-to-bite-you-in-the-ass department, a European friend notes that the Kenyan Federation is lobbying like mad to have Kamel/Konchellah back instantly ready to represent them..... the same Kenyan Federation, of course, that blocked Bernard Lagat's chances to do the same for another country (and in an earlier era, Wilson Kipketer).

As I see it, the Kenyan federation was spot on. Grassroots coaches in Kenya spend a lot of time and money scouting and developing young runners only to see them defect. Basically other federations and reaping what they did not sow. No wonder AK does not want to let them go easy.