Kenya will use the National Olympic Athletics Trials as a test run for the forthcoming World Athletics Under 20 Championship.
Nairobi is set to host the global event from August 17-22 at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani. Thus the trials, which were initially set to be held in Eldoret, have been moved to the Capital City from June 17-19.
Athletics Kenya (AK) said Tuesday that the decision was necessitated by the need to test the systems and equipment at Kasarani, in readiness for the world athletics under 20 Championship pencilled for August 17-22 at the same venue.
The trials had been set for Kiochege Keino stadium in Eldoret.
“After much deliberation and analysis of the current state of events, Kasarani seems an appropriate venue for the championship,” AK said in a statement that was posted on their official social media pages before it was pulled down.
“Preparations for the under 20 Championship is ongoing and technical experts have advised that holding the trials at Kasarani will help assess the preparedness ahead of the arrival of world athletics inspectors in July.”
AK further reiterated its earlier stand that the trial still remains an invite-only event for those athletes who have thus far attained the qualifying mark for the Olympics in their respective events.
AK directed that those athletes wishing to take part in the trials will have to fully meet the anti-doping requirements.
This statement basically blocks out for World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop who had appealed to AK to allow him compete once he’s served his four year doping ban. Another athlete who might miss the trials is Ferdinand Omanyala who are fighting to be included in Team Kenya squad to Japan.
Omanyala is the current national record holders in the 100m distance, but AK has insisted that he will not be included in the Tokyo squad after he was implicated in doping violation.
AK have a strong stand on anyone who has been implicated in doping adding that no doper will be allowed the privilege to represent Kenya at any international event.
“The federation also reminds athletes who are targeting qualifications through the international competitions to liaise with AK to avoid competing in unsanctioned races.”
Over three dozen Kenyan athletes are serving various doping related bans.