NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Siblings and teammates will have no sympathy as they face off for bragging rights in the 1,500m race at the Diamond League in Rome.
Diamond League trophy winner Timothy Cheruiyot, world champion Elijah Manangoi and his younger brother George Manangoi have a common bond. Yet when they line up in Italy on Thursday nobody will lend any importance to what unifies them.
"It is my first time running in Rome. First time at the Golden Gala. On Thursday I will run my next 1,500m," said Cheruiyot who is yet to lose a race in the first three stops of the 14-tier Diamond League circuit.
Cheruiyot's only loss this year was at the Commonwealth Games and he is looking to retain his Diamond League trophy.
Cheruiyot, who leads the 1500m rankings this season, hopes to benefit from the sibling rivalry between the Manangoi brothers. "I don't make excuses for not getting it done. I focus on all the reasons why I must make it happen," George Manangoi said.
The future is very bright for this amazing 17-year old. He holds the World Youth title and has given as much as he has received when racing with the senior athletes. Rome will offer him another chance to prove he is no pushover. "I am coming out stronger and hope to learn the experiences and go for the title," he said.
In the women's 3,000m steeplechase top Kenyans Beatrice Chepkoech, Hyvin Kiyeng and Norah Jeruto along with World champion Emma Coburn (USA) will fight to lead the Diamond series.
