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BOSTON: Runners approach the finish line in the rain during the Boston yesterday. (Top right) Lelisa Desisa of lifts his trophy after winning the marathon. (Right) Caroline Rotich of lifts her tro- phy after winning the women’s division of the marathon. — AP Africans top

BOSTON: Ethiopian runner Lelisa Desisa finished first in along the 26.2 mile (42.16 km) course and around the fin- 30, was born in Kenya but attended high school in Japan. Chechen, to death remains controversial in Boston, the Boston Marathon yesterday, reclaiming the top spot ish line in Boston, in recognition of the bombing, one of She has posted top-ten performances at top where polls show a deeply divided public. in a race he last won two years ago when it was struck by the most visible attacks on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001. in Tokyo, New York and Chicago. Four victims of the bombing, including the families of a deadly bombing attack. Caroline Rotich of Kenya led Desisa unseated reigning champion of The top US women’s finisher, , led the two of the people killed by the bombs and a couple who the women’s field, affirming African athletes’ dominance California, whose 2014 victory marked the first time that pack for much of the race before Rotich passed her in the lost legs in the blast, have now made public statements at the race. a US man had won the race in three decades. final miles, leaving Linden to finish fourth. Linden said opposing seeking death for Tsarnaev. “If there is anyone Desisa, who famously gave his winner’s medal to the Keflezighi, who finished eighth, crossed the line hand- the long lead was a strategic move intended to winnow who deserves the ultimate punishment, it is the defen- city following the 2013 bombing, pulled ahead to sprint in-hand with another US runner, Hilary Dionne, who fin- the field. dant. However, we must overcome the impulse for down Boylston Street alone, finishing with a time of 2 ished 15th in the women’s field. “I know a lot of people will question it, ‘Why did you vengeance,” said Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, who hours, 9 minutes and 17 seconds. “I’ve never met her. I had to sprint hard to catch up run in the front and put yourself in the wind?’” Linden both lost legs in the attack, in a statement. “We believe “Strong Boston!” Desisa shouted after he crossed the with her to do that,” Keflezighi said afterward. “It was fun told reporters. “But I think that’s how you have to run that the best way to move forward and achieve our goals finish line, in a version of the “Boston Strong” motto that to do that.” The top US male finisher was Dathan here. You have to be gritty and aggressive.” The race is a life sentence in prison without the opportunity for became the city’s rallying cry after the April 15, 2013, Ritzenhein, of Michigan, who finished seventh. The elite comes during a pause in the trial of Dzohkhar Tsarnaev, parole.” Last week, the parents of 8-year-old Martin attack that killed three and injured 264. He has no plans men’s and women’s fields kept large packs for the first convicted this month of killing three and injuring 264 in Richard, the youngest to die in the attack, made a similar to donate this year’s medal. half of the race, with runners mindful of the early break- the 2013 bombing. statement. In both cases, the argument was not one of “This medal is, I think it is for me,” Desisa told reporters. away that set the stage for Keflezighi’s 2014 victory. Prosecutors and defense attorneys on Tuesday are due philosophical opposition to capital punishment but a Kenya’s Rotich had a more dramatic finish, besting Desisa, 25, ran shorter events before switching his to begin presenting another series of witnesses before practical one, that a sentence of life in prison without Ethiopia’s Mare DiBaba in a sprint down Boylston Street, focus to marathons in 2013, when he surprised the field the jury decides whether Tsarnaev will be sentenced to possibility of parole could spare the families and public turning in a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes and 55 seconds. at Boston with his fast performance. He started the race death or to life in prison without possibility of parole. further weeks of emotionally charged testimony and Security was high near the start line in Hopkinton, in 2014 but walked off the course with an injury. Rotich, The idea of putting Tsarnaev, a 21-year-old ethnic possibly years of appeals.— Reuters Qatar floats idea of housing Kiplagat welcomes 12,000 football fans on ships

tougher drug tests DOHA: Qatar plans to accomodate Qatar’s huge $200-billion (190-billion some 12,000 football fans on cruise euros) capital spending project, ahead ships during the World Cup in 2022, a of football’s most prestigious tourna- NAIROBI: women’s Both Keitany and Jeptoo who are also part spokesman for the Qatar Tourism ment, the country is building a new port defending champion said yes- of the Kenyan contingent in the women’s race terday she supported increased drug testing for Sunday. Authority (QTA) said yesterday. south of the capital, Doha. for elite marathon runners as a way of elimi- Fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who will be The proposal for “floating hotels” is a FIFA guidelines say Qatar must have nating doping. defending the men’s London marathon title, is revival of an idea which was initially 60,000 rooms available for fans by 2022. The 35-year-old two-time world champion already assured of clinching the top prize in rejected two years ago. However, Qatar Ambitious Qatar though has pledged to said increased out-of-competition testing his category. is now seeking to strengthen its pres- make 100,000 rooms available. This introduced by the Meanwhile, Craig Hilliard was Monday ence in the cruise ship market and the however may lead to thousands of hotel (WMM) and the IAAF, in the wake of compatri- appointed Australia’s new athletics coach, idea to house fans during the tourna- rooms going empty once the tourna- ot ’s failed drug test, would force replacing Eric Hollingsworth who was sacked ment has been re-floated. The QTA ment, being played in November and many Kenyan runners to be more careful. last year after clashing with star hurdler Sally announced the proposals at a trade December 2022, finishes. “We have been subjected to drug testing in Pearson. conference in the US over the weekend. Housing football fans offshore may the past but this has increased in the last few Hilliard, a coach for more than 30 years, has In a statement on the official Qatar ease any problems of hotel room over- months. The situation may be a bit uncom- previously worked with successful athletes News Agency, the QTA said: “Over the capacity and it could also help with the fortable for us but I believe this is a good including race walker Nathan Deakes, world move to try and arrest the situation which champion hurdler Jana Pittman and Olympic past few years, QTA established a num- thorny issue of alcohol. had threatened to get out of hand,” Kiplagat silver medallist long jumper Jai Taurima. ber of strong relationships with interna- Qatar is a dry country where local told AFP ahead of her trip to London for “I’m very much looking forward to getting tional cruise operators as well as with Qataris cannot drink alcohol, but expa- Sunday’s race. “It is sad what happened to started, it’s a great opportunity,” Hilliard said. “I other specialists involved in the industry. triates are allowed to but only if they Rita. As an experienced runner, she should am excited about the future of our sport. The “This has proved to be of great have the correct permit. The authorities have known better.” Kiplagat stands to be con- emerging talent that was showcased at the importance especially that Qatar will be in Doha have previously said that alco- firmed as the winner of the 500,000-dollar Australian Junior Athletics Championships extensively benefiting from cruise ships hol will be made available for fans in 2013-2014 WMM series women’s title after last month and the recent Australian Athletics Edna Kiplagat over the 2022 World Cup, as a means of certain areas in seven years’ time. Jeptoo, who had topped the chart on 100 Championships in Brisbane augurs well for providing additional accommodation One of the 2022 tournament’s official points, was stripped of the title and slapped the next Olympic cycle.” Hollingsworth was let go last year for dis- supply for fans and visitors over the sponsors will be the giant American with a two-year ban for the positive drug test. Athletics Australia high performance direc- paraging comments he made about Pearson period. brewer Anheuser-Busch, maker of But Kiplagat, who was placed second in the tor Simon Nathan said he was pleased to be on the eve of her 100m hurdles standing, said she has yet to be informed by able to appoint such an experienced and “QTA will be contracting a minimum Budweiser lager, the “official beer” of the Commonwealth title defence in July. of 6,000 rooms on cruise ships for 2022 World Cup. the WMM organisers about the presentation respected coach. In a bizarrely timed, outspoken statement tournament.” A spokesman for the The cruise ship proposal was first of the award. “It was great for us to have had so many he said Pearson, the defending Olympic and If confirmed as WMM winner, Kiplagat will quality applicants , both domestically and Commonwealth champion, had been a bad authority confirmed on Monday that proposed in 2013 but then quietly be the third Kenyan woman winner after two from overseas and is even better that we have example to younger athletes by not appear- this equated to space for 12,000 fans. dropped by the authorities. Some one other former London marathon champions, been able to appoint an Australian as the suc- ing at the team camp in Gateshead the week It is not yet clear where the cruise million people visited Brazil for the last Mary Keitany and Priscah Jeptoo. cessful candidate,” Nathan said. before. — Agencies ships will be docked but as part of football World Cup in 2014. — AFP