Qatar's world steeplechase champion Saif Saaeed Shaheen says he is still persona non grata in his Kenyan homeland and will have to leave if the east African nation carries out its threat to force him out.

Kenya-born Shaheen, formerly Stephen Cherono, became a Qatari citizen for economic reasons in 2003 but still trains and has a family home in Kenya.

The 22-year-old, who successfully defended his title in the Finnish capital on Tuesday by beating two former team-mates, said he had been asked to leave by Kenya's Minister for Sport four months ago.

"If they continue I'll have to follow, I'll just get out," he told reporters. "I told them no problem (with leaving)."

The steeplechase world record holder is one of many talented African athletes who have emigrated to Gulf countries for economic reasons.

The growing trend has forced the International Association of Athletics Federations to streng-then its qualification rules.

Now athletes will have to wait for three years after obtaining citizenship to compete for their new countries, although this does not deal with the problem of runners defecting before they have represented their native land.

Shaheen, denied permission by the Kenyan federation to compete in last year's Olympics, said he had "no regrets whatsoever" in becoming a Qatari citizen. He also praised the Gulf state for the "total support" he received.

His rival, and friend, Kemboi scoffed at suggestions that Shaheen's gold medal could be considered a "Kenyan title".

"It is gold for Shaheen and gold for Qatar," he said. "The silver and bronze are for Kenya."

 Gale force winds buffeted the athletes during another unpleasant morning at the world championships yesterday following thunder, lightning and torrential rain in the previous evening. The high winds forced organisers to switch the women's pole vault final scheduled for the evening session to tomorrow.