Cheruiyot, who has lost just three times since the start of 2018 and currently tops the 2021 world rankings with 3min 30.48sec, finished fourth at the Kasarani Stadium and was not given the third discretionary place behind the two automatic qualifying places.

He appeared to limp away, and it was reported he had a hamstring problem, but he made no mention of that when he tweeted after the race: "Big thanks for all the messages and congratulations to my fellow Kenyan athletes on their performances yesterday.

"I’m human and wasn’t my day but I’m determined as ever!

"I’m focused on my training for this new week ahead and getting ready for races to come."

Charles Simotwo, who won in 3:32.75, second-placed Kamar Etyang, who ran 3:33.02 and third-placed Abel Kipsang, who clocked 3:33.12 were all selected ahead of Cheruiyot, who looked out of sorts as he took fourth place in 3:34.36.

Kipruto, meanwhile, who had started three races since the beginning of 2020 and failed to finish any of them, was also unable to complete the steeplechase at the trials, stepping off the track after just two laps.

Leonard Bett went on to win in 8:17.26 from Abraham Kibiwott, who clocked 8:17.61, and Benjamin Kigen, who finished in 8:21.32.

In November 2019, Kipruto pleaded not guilty after being charged with having sex with a 15-year-old girl and was released on bail.

He faces at least 20 years in prison if convicted, according to Kenya’s sexual offences laws.

Geoffrey Kamworor ran the quickest 10,000m time ever recorded in the country, when he clocked an all-comers' record of 27:01.06.

The three-time world half marathon champion - who has made a comeback from the injuries he sustained having been hit by a motorcycle while training last year - achieved the "statement victory" he had been seeking.

Rodgers Kwemoi clocked 27:05.51 to earn the second automatic qualifying place, and Weldon Kipkirui Langat came past Rhonex Kipruto to take third place in 27:24.73, inside the Olympic qualifying time of 27:28.00.

Faith Kipyegon remains on track for an Olympic title defence as she comfortably won the 1500m trials race in 4:02.10, with African champion Winny Chebet also claiming a team place thanks to her runner-up finish and Edinah Jebitok placing third.

Two-time world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri was a convincing winner of the women’s 10,000m.

The world cross-country champion smashed her own Kenyan all-comers’ record to win in 30:53.60, finishing more than 13 seconds ahead of 2017 world cross-country champion Irene Cheptai, who recorded 31:06.86, and Sheila Chelangat, who finished in 31:10.27.

On the first day of action, Obiri had secured her place in the 5.000m at the Olympics despite being beaten by Lilian Kasait Rengeruk.

Meanwhile it is looking increasingly doubtful whether South Africa’s Rio 2016 800 metres champion Caster Semenya will achieve her aim of qualifying for the 5,000m in Tokyo after she failed again this weekend to better the Olympic standard time of 15:10.00.

Semenya, 30, who has chosen not to take medication to lower her naturally high testosterone levels and so is ineligible under World Athletics rules to run in the 400m, 800m or 1500m internationally, could only finish fourth in the Sparkassen Gala in Regensburg, Germany in 15:57.12.

At her last race at the end of May in Durban, Semenya set a personal best of 15:32.15.

However South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk has qualified to defend his Olympic 400m title at this summer's Games in Tokyo.

The 28-year-old South African world record holder ran 44.56sec, inside the Olympic qualifying standard of 44.90, in finishing second behind Anthony Jose Zambrano in Spain.

Van Niekerk set the 400m world record of 43.03 in winning gold at Rio 2016 but had his career undermined by a serious knee ligament injury suffered while playing a charity rugby match in October 2017.