Kenya has given in to pressure and agreed to postpone, at least by one week, national trials to select the team for the World Championships set for Beijing in August.
David Okeyo, Athletics Kenya (AK) vice president, said they had to cede ground to allow athletes, who had contractual obligation with their management and organisers of the IAAF Diamond League meetings, to compete in the 14-tier competition.
“We have to consider that the Diamond League is also important to our athletes to make money as they prepare for the World Championships,” said Okeyo.
“That is why we agreed to forward the event by a week so that our athletes can head to Paris and Monaco for the Diamond League.”
It is the best news for Monaco and London Diamond League organisers, who were contemplating doing without Kenyans legion in their competitions.
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Okeyo also said it was important to grant the athletes ample time to prepare for the trials. Okeyo was in Eldoret recently to review and talk to athletes on the need to race sparingly and avoid burning out ahead of the trials.
He said athletes have a realistic chance to widen their medal scope beyond the middle and long distance races. Commonwealth Games and Africa record holder in javelin Julius Yego holds a realistic chance for the country to win its first gold medal in a field event at the World Championships.
The explosive Kenyan trials, which are considered a mini-world championships without Ethiopia, especially in the middle and long distance races, was originally scheduled for the weekend of July 24 and 25, but will now take place on July 31 and August 1.
The tentative venue remains Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, but the final decision is expected next week, when AK’s Competition’s Committee meets to decide on the venue.
