Chelimo penalized for stepping inside rail; former NCAA champ Korir not allowed to race because of Visa issues

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Paul Chelimo was about to wrap up a perfect morning of qualifying Friday for the United States at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at Arena Birmingham, before some untimely missteps on the 14th lap cost him an opportunity to race in the men's 3,000-meter final and a chance to medal.

Chelimo was disqualified in the prelim heat per Rule 163.3b, which states: "In all races (or any part of races) not run in lanes, an athlete running on a bend, on the outer half of the track as per Rule 163.5b, or on any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump, shall not step or run on or inside the kerb or line marking the applicable border (the inside of the track, the outer half of the track, or any curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump). Except as stated in Rule 163.4, if the Referee is satisfied, on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise, that an athlete has infringed this Rule, he shall be disqualified.

Chelimo, who clocked 7:49.34 to place third, was one of four athletes in the second heat to be disqualified, along with Jamaica's Kemoy Campbell, Germany's Richard Ringer and Djibouti's Youssouf Hiss Bachir.

Shadrack Kipchirchir, who trains with Chelimo in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, advanced in the first heat by clocking 7:57.08. Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha, training with Nike Oregon Project, led all qualifiers in 7:42.83.

American Courtney Okolo led 18 qualifiers into the women's 400 semifinals in 51.54, with Shakima Wimbley also advancing in 52.43.

Aldrich Bailey (46.77) and Michael Cherry (46.99) qualified for the men's 400 semifinals, with Slovakia's Luka Janezic leading all athletes into the semifinals in 46.45. The entire third heat was disqualified, including world-leader Bralon Taplin of Grenada, who entered the meet with a mark of 44.88.

Former Kentucky teammates Destiny Carter (7.24) and Javianne Oliver (7.29) are among the 24 semifinalists in the women's 60. France's Carolle Zahi led all qualifiers in 7.11.

In the women's pentathlon, two-time U.S. champion Erica Bougard is in fourth place after three events with 2,836 points and four-time NCAA winner Kendell Williams is 11th with 2,709 points. Cuba's Yorgelis Rodriguez leads the competition with 2,886 points.

In the men's heptathlon, reigning World Outdoor decathlon gold medalist Kevin Mayer of France leads after three events with 2,714 points. American Zach Ziemek is fifth with 2,483 points.

Off the track, Kenya's Emmanuel Korir, the reigning NCAA 800 indoor and outdoor champion and the world leader this year at 1:44.21, wasn't able to fly from New York to Birmingham because of Visa issues and won't be competing, according to UTEP coach Paul Ereng. In addition, 2014 World Indoor 1,500 champion Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti also encountered Visa issues and won't be able to race in Birmingham.