NAIROBI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's athletics officials on Wednesday named a team to represent the country at this year's Beijing Olympic Games scheduled for August this year.

    Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said that it was no mean feat coming up with six names (three each for the men and women's team) from athletes who have won 25 marathon races so far this year.

    "Kenyan athletes won a total of 50 marathon races last year and so far they have won 25 therefore you will agree with me that coming up with six names from such a pool is a monumental task," Kiplagat told journalists in Nairobi.

    The men's team comprises of this year's London Marathon winner Martin Lel, his runner up in the same race Samuel Wanjiru and this week's winner of the Boston marathon Robert Cheruiyot.

    On standby are world marathon Champion Luke Kibet and winner of this year's Rotterdam marathon William Kipsang.

    Samuel Wanjiru, runner-up at this month's London marathon, was preferred to Kibet.

    "We have selected the team on merit. They have the best times in marathon in the past year and we have faith in them," said Kiplagat.

    He noted that Kibet's time was no better than those selected so did not warrant his inclusion.

    The women's team comprises of world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba,

    Salina Kosgei, Martha Komu and second runner up during this year's Boston Marathon Rita Jeptoo.

    The team's selection however drew instant reaction from one time world marathon champion Douglas Wakiihuri who said that Kenyamissed losing out on the men's Olympic title for fielding runners who have just taken part in grueling races and that the three month period remaining before the games start was not enough for recovery and training.

    "You cannot run two major marathon races in a year and expect to do well. Preparations for a race of the magnitude as the Olympic Games need at least six months," said Wakiihuri.