Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei optimistic July Olympic trials will be held in Nairobi

Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei optimistic July Olympic trials will be held in Nairobi

Abigael Wafula 16:45 - 23.05.2024

Athletics Kenya President adamant Olympic trials will be held at a certified stadium in Nairobi despite the closure of Nyayo Stadium.

There has been an ongoing dilemma on where the Kenyan track and field Olympic trials will be held following the closure of the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium, the only stadia in the country certified by World Athletics.

With dates fast approaching, athletes and fans have raised eyebrows concerning the same, but Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei has promised that before the trials, which are scheduled for July 14 and 15, they will have secured a certified stadium.

He encouraged athletes to keep working hard since the deadline for qualification will be June 30 and they still have the Diamond League Meetings and the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in the pipeline to aid in the qualification.

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“Remember when you go there (Africa Senior Athletics Championships) and also those competing in the Diamond League and everything else, remember when you go there, there is still a chance for those who haven’t qualified for the Olympics until the 30th of June.

“I want to congratulate those who have qualified and encourage those who haven’t, to keep giving more effort because we want a bigger number to come and compete at the Olympics in the next trials. Continue training between now and that time.

“Those of you who are training around here, we want to wish you the best of luck. We shall also try doing the Olympic trials here in Nairobi, to see that you compete in a facility that has been certified and meets all the proper conditions. We know that you would also like to qualify during that particular period,” Tuwei said during the national championships at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

He added that the list of athletes to compete at the Africa Senior Athletics Championships will be released next week.

Tuwei was also apologetic to the athletes for any inconvenience caused, noting that they needed to follow the rules to the letter.

“Next week when we have gotten all the names together, including those who are competing in the United States (Prefontaine Classic), plus those who did not attend because of Diamond League events and engagements, then we will put all that together and coordinate in the right way so that we keep to the principles and rules of anti-doping requirements.

“I would like everybody to understand this…it is not our wish to do that but when the rules and regulations are there, it is important to follow them so that at the end of it all, we do not get into any issues,” he added.

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