Athletes from Kenya have threatened to withdraw from the forthcoming Olympic trials if they are not hosted at a location approved by World Athletics.
The problem for Athletics Kenya (AK) is where to hold the Olympic trials, which are scheduled for June 14–15. The country’s only two World Athletics-accredited venues, Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums, are currently closed for renovations.
Athletes have sworn not to attend if the trials are not held at an approved facility, despite AK President Jack Tuwei’s assurances that arrangements are being made for that to happen.
An athlete who wished to remain anonymous told Nation, “Even though I have met the standards for the Paris Olympics, I will not be attending in solidarity with those who would like to strive and get the standard at the trials.”
“All the athletes feel the same way because they lost out on a fantastic chance to earn a spot in the Olympics in Paris because the National Athletics Championships were held at Ulinzi Complex.”
The main point of disagreement is because World Athletics has not certified the Ulinzi Complex, where AK intended to hold the trials.
This implies that any times achieved at the event would not be taken into account for Olympic qualifying, depriving athletes who have not yet met the minimum score of a chance to qualify for the Paris Games.
As a result, when the Olympic qualification deadline falls on June 30, they would have little choice but to pursue qualification abroad.
Only three African athletes have qualified for the Olympics: Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Wiseman Were (400m hurdles), and Zablon Ekwam (400m). Sprinters like Mark Otieno are among the most affected.
Given that Nyayo Stadium is the location where Ekwam and Were achieved the Olympic qualifying criteria at the Kip Keino Classic last month, the athletes have indicated that Nyayo Stadium should hold the trials.
Kenya’s 10,000-meter runners have already fled the nation and will attempt to meet the qualification requirements at the Eugene Diamond League Prefontaine Classic this coming weekend.
