Nairobi — Gold medals are rare commodities for Kenyan sprinters on the international track.

But if Wednesday's result in the 100m and 400m at the Nyayo National Stadium is anything to go by, then Kenya is surely destined to greater things in the short races.

Although the figures might not be that flattering, that four out of the 12 Kenyan athletes competing in 100m and 400m qualified for Thursday's semi-finals is something the country can work with.

Catherine Nandi, competing in the women's 400m, was the first Kenyan to throw down the gauntlet and book her place in the semis, her blistering 55.40-second run received by deafening cheers from the crowd that included President Mwai Kibaki.

Her male compatriots must have taken up the challenge, as they won in two of the four consecutive heats.

Geoffrey Ngeno, running, in the first heat, led from the 200m mark to the tape in a time of 46.78 and Mutai Kiprotich repeated the same feat as he stretched his opponents in the final 100m to emerge with a better time of the Kenyan trio: 46.11.

Despite finishing second in the final heat, that also had Gary Kikaya, the African record holder (44.10), from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Anderson Mureta's time of 46.72 was good enough for his qualification.

"This is one of my most memorable moments. I just hope and pray that I will go all the way. That would be the day of my life," said Ngeno.

"Just come and cheer us on in the remaining races and for sure, we won't let the Kenyans down."

While 400m posted impressive results, the same could not be said of the 100m team, as Kenya's chances of having more sprinters in today's semi-finals were dealt a major blow with four athletes exiting.

Kipkemoi Soi was the only Kenyan to qualify in the men's 100m race, the same as Millicent Ndoro in the women's 100m.

Ndoro was timed at 12.19 in the third heat of the event, while Soi won his race in a time of 10.64, finishing ahead of Simon Magwe of South Africa who returned 10.66 in heat two.

Ndoro was placed third behind the winner, Agnes Osazuwa of Nigeria, who clocked timed 11.51 to finish ahead of Charlotte Amombo Mebenga of Cameroon.

Soi and Ndoro were due to face 15 other athletes in yesterday's semi-final stage that had not been staged by press time.

Other Kenyan sprinters who failed to shine yesterday include Maryline Chelagat, placed sixth in heat two with a time of 12.31, and Atsabina Roseline Indimu in heat three.

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