Rudisha's Commonwealth pull-out defended by Kenya

Kenyan athletics chiefs have defended world 800 metres record holder David Rudisha's decision to pull out of next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

"He explained his case to us and we feel he has done this country proud and he deserves a rest," Athletics Kenya secretary David Okeyo said.

The 21-year-old returned to his African home on Wednesday for the first time since breaking the record twice last month and explained his decision to his countrymen.

"The Games are being held unusually late in the year when the focus has turned to next year's World Championships in South Korea," he told reporters at Nairobi's airport.

"Moreover, I feel tired after a very busy season and I need some rest before resuming training."

Athletics Kenya named Abraham Kiplagat to replace him. Other Kenyan runners in the 800 metres will be Richard Kiplagat and Boaz Lalang.

Rudisha ran one minute 41.09 in Berlin on August 22, shaving two hundredths of a second off Dane Wilson Kepketer's 1997 mark, and lowered it to one minute 41.01 a week later in Italy.

A Maasai from Kenya's Rift Valley, a province that has nurtured countless world class runners, Rudisha's father Daniel was a member of the 4x400 Olympic silver-winning relay team in Mexico City in 1968.

The world record holder was met by a large crowd on arrival and went through a tribal ritual that elevated him to the status of young adult, a step up from the young warrior status of his peer group.

"I feel great and happy for my people to accord me such a welcome. It is ecstatic and makes one feel loved and appreciated," he said.

"Now I want to rest and start early preparations for the World Championships and Olympics," he said.

The celebrations to mark his return will climax on Sept. 17 in the Rift Valley town of Kilgoris when 50 cows are set to be slaughtered in honour of his achievements.