Although he had not been able to achieve the qualifying standards in either of his events, national 5000m record holder Cleveland Forde will be participating in the 2008 Summer Olympics Games in Beijing, China, in August.
According to Chef-de-Mission Noel Adonis, Forde, who is currently on an Olympic Solidarity Scholarships at the Kipchoge Keino High Performance Training Centre in Kenya, has benefited from a wildcard draw and will be participating in the men’s 1500m in Beijing.
Adonis explained that Forde was selected because of the relative improvements that he has shown at the training at the Kipchoge Keino High Performance Training Centre which is a recognized high altitude training facility by the International Olympic Committee along with his performances in international events.
“What I have gathered so far is that he [Forde] has been given the wildcard place because of the time which he spent at the high altitude facility in Kenya, and because of the promise and potential that he has demonstrated during his stay there,” he said.
With his plane ticket all but certain for Beijing, Forde will have to advance through two rounds of competition with the world’s best athletes before he gets a chance to line up for the final and have a shot at gaining a medal.
