BEIJING — It appeared to be business as usual for Kenya at the world track and field championships Monday night.
Vivian Cheruiyot won another women’s distance title, her second in the 10,000 meters. Ezekiel Kemboi then led another Kenyan medal sweep in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase and, as usual, still had the energy to dance on the track after his latest devastating kick.
“I will be celebrating tonight with my teammates,” Kemboi said.
So it has gone for decades with the sports world generally quite comfortable with the received wisdom that Kenyan success is nothing but logical in light of the natural advantages conferred by the Great Rift Valley’s altitude and the motivation that comes from living in a society in which running is one of the few established pathways to international fame and fortune.