Good showing, but probe why our athletics is losing steam

Kenya's Hellen Obiri reacts after winning the Women's 5000m final at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha on October 5, 2019. [AFP]

Kenya’s athletics team to the IAAF World Athletics Championship that ended on Sunday once again did the country proud by finishing second, with 11 medals (five gold, two silver and four bronze). Their gritty performance in the face of improved showing by most nations is commendable.

IAAF’s analysis of the championship showed that six championship records had been set, 43 countries had won medals, and athletes from 68 different nations had achieved at least one top-eight placing.