NAIROBI (AFP) - Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Paul Kipsiele Koech on Thursday joined the Kenyan squad in training for the Beijing Games after being called up as one of the reserves.

The 26-year-old failed to qualify for the Olympics after finishing fourth during the national trials in Nairobi early this month.

He claimed he was pushed by his rivals on the last water jump as he led the way and subsequently lost the race and a place in the team.

But Koech turned his frustration into success when he ran a season-best time of 8min 00.58secs in Heusden, Belgium last Sunday.

Koech's place as one of the three athletes to start the race in Beijing is not yet clear as the Kenyan selectors are yet to name the final line-up, which includes reigning Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi, silver medallist Brimin Kipruto and Richard Mateelong, the African champion.

"I didn't want to refuse the call-up," Koech told AFP. "As an athlete you have no choice but to abide by the regulations of the federation. I have to follow the rules and that's why I accepted the offer to come to the camp."

Koech, the world's leading steeplechaser in 2007, suffered a similar disappointment when he failed to qualify for the world championships in Osaka last August but said he had prepared well for his second Olympics in Beijing.

"I ran my first race of the year in New York, clocking 8:01 and I looked forward for a perfect season. I have not finished below the top three until the trials," said Koech.