Cherono Koech, the 2010 World Junior 800m champion, has been included in the Kenya team for the London Olympic Games.

Kenyan officials made the announcement on Tuesday, after realizing that third choice athlete Winnie Chebet did not have the 'A' qualification standard for the Olympics set at 1:59.90.

"I have been notified by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) about my inclusion in the team. I was not feeling well during the trials in June and that is why I did not do well.

"I have since been training and there should be no worry about me lagging behind in training. I will be ready for the Olympics," said Koech Tuesday, from her training base in Kericho.

Kenya' s Olympic team Chief Executive Officer Stephen Soi confirmed the changes and said Koech will be linking up with the rest of the squad in training camp in Nairobi immediately.

"There is a change in the team. We have brought in (Cherono) Koech instead of Winnie Chebet. We hope she will do well," said Soi in Nairobion Tuesday.

Kenya named Olympic Champion Pamela Jelimo; former world title holder Janeth Jepkosgei in the team and the inclusion of Koech seals the entry.

Koech made her first senior debut in Kenyan colours in Daegu, South Korea last year where she was elbowed out of the finals by finishing fourth in the second semi final heat.

"It was a good experience to run at the World Championships in Daegu last year. I did not make the finals but got the experience and knowledge of how to run with the seniors," said Koech.

The 20-year-old athlete, who is being trained by former Olympic steeplechase silver medallist Patrick Sang, said her first target will be to navigate her way through the heats and make it to the finals.

"From there I will be able to focus on the medal podium and may be a silver will do." She said.

Jelimo is favored to defend her title having run the fastest time twice this season in Doha (1:56.94) and Huesden (1:56.76) in Belgium both making it under the one minute 57 second mark.

However, world champion Mariya Savinova (Russia) 1:55.87 and South African Caster Semenya 1:56.35 will be the biggest challengers together with Ethiopian Fantu Magiso 1:57.48. Others are Alysia Johnson Montano of USA (1:57.37) and Russian Ekaterina Kostetskaya 1:57.46.