NAIROBI -- A tug-of-war has erupted between the Athletics Kenya (AK) and an agent representing Kenya's new world junior and national 800m women's record holder Pamela Jelimo.
The AK wants the newly crowned world junior champion, who set the junior best mark of 1:55.76 at Saturday's FBK Hengelo Grand Prix, to return home without further delay and report to the Olympics camp in Eldoret.
But her Belgian manager, Marc Corstens, has reportedly entered her for Sunday's opening IAAF Golden League meeting in Berlin where she is expected to face her local idol and world champion Janeth Jepkosgei.
"We want her back as soon as possible so that she can avoid burning out. By running 1:55, her form has peaked and we want her to maintain that for Beijing," AK secretary David Okeyo told the local daily the Standard.
AK public relations officer Peter Angwenyi said initial plans were to have Jelimo return on Monday.
Prior to her record-breaking feat, Jelimo crushed 800m legend Maria Mutola to claim the African title clocking 1:58.70 in Addis Ababa early this month. She had won the national trials for that event in 2:01.02, and was immediately installed as Jepkosgei's top challenger.
"It would not be good for her and other top athletes from this country to feature in so many races. We want our Olympic preparation camp to succeed," said Okeyo.
The secretary further said attempts to contact the agent had not borne fruit, but they would keep trying.
