STORY: Exploring Kenya's long-distance running culture in Iten
DATELINE: July 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:19
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of athletes running
2. STANDUP (English): RUTH WANGARA, Xinhua reporter
3. various of athletes running
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CALISTUS KIMUTAI, Kenyan athlete
5. various of Kenyan athletes
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KELVIN KIMTAI CHEPSIGOR, Student-athlete from Kenya
7. various of Kenyan athletes
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAMES KWALIA, Kenyan long-distance running coach
9. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): KENNEDY KIBYEGO, Kenyan athlete
10. various of athletes running

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): RUTH WANGARA, Xinhua reporter
"Kenya is world-renowned and stands tall in athletics with long-distance running and marathons being the apex of their victory. As we cheer them on and enjoy their epic wins, it is here in Iten in northwestern Kenya that the athletes come to get their training, with many of them traveling from many kilometers (away) or around the world to come, and get the magic touch of this home of champions."
 
Located at 2,400 meters above sea level, Iten is known as a "running town" for its perfect training ground for athletes, as the high altitude here makes their bodies more resilient.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CALISTUS KIMUTAI, Kenyan athlete
"I am an athlete, a long-distance athlete, 10,000 meters. I have gotten five golds, three silvers and two bronzes. My next race is going to Rwanda for a half marathon."

Some Kenyan student-athletes are also preparing here for the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games which will be held in China soon.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KELVIN KIMTAI CHEPSIGOR, Student-athlete from Kenya
"I'm Kelvin Kimtai Chepsigor, a student-athlete at Kisii University. Currently, I'm training for the World University Games that will be held in Chengdu, China, and I'll be debuting a half marathon and 10,000 meters. I'm hoping to be the champion.
For me, it's a pleasure (to compete in the Chengdu Universiade), and I want to tell the Chinese audience that I will make them proud. I want to explore China and make friends there."

James Kwalia, a retired athlete and a coach, explains the secrets behind Kenyan athletes' competitive edge in long-distance running.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JAMES KWALIA, Kenyan long-distance running coach
"What makes the Kenyan athletes stand out is discipline. This is why they can perform good because even if I am not there as a coach, the athletes come, they just ask for a program and they follow. "
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): KENNEDY KIBYEGO, Kenyan athlete
"As an athlete, we put so much to dedicate ourselves to training a lot, waking up early in the morning every day, training three times per day, so we commit ourselves."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)