Pick Kenya's strongest team for Budapest

Nicholas Kimeli and Daniel Simiulead in the 10,000M men final during trials for World athletics championships at the Nyayo National Stadium on July 7, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Trials for the 2023 World Championships set for Budapest next month started yesterday at Nyayo National Stadium with Kenya’s team to the global event to be named today.

Athletics Kenya (AK) had earlier this week said the trials will be held under strict conditions in line with Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the body tasked by the World Athletics to fight fighting doping.

AK said considering Kenya has been under watch from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which placed it under Category A, there was need to impose strict rules at the trials.

A country in Category A means its athletes must undergo at least three no-notice, out-of-competition urine and blood tests before major events.

AK should ensure the rules are adhered to by all athletes invited for the trials. We need a strong team to the World Championships, hence the runners picked to carry Kenya’s flag should clean.

Many have not forgotten how some Kenyan athletes were withdrawn from the team camp in Eugene, Oregon before they could enter races they had been picked to compete in.

Once AK adheres to the rules, we will not only have a strong team, but one that meet all requirements before taking to the track and roads in Budapest.

Still, Kenya is a powerhouse in athletics and we need a strong showing in Budapest with a strong and clean team.

We also know many will be left heartbroken today at Nyayo when the final team is named because they will have lost on the day despite meeting all requirements laid down by AK.

Those who will not make the team should start preparation for the 2024 Olympics Games, knowing they will have lost to the better athletes on the day and not that they will have been left out because they didn’t meet the doping requirements laid down by the athletics body.

Losing at the Kenyan trials is not something to be sad about as most of those who won yesterday and will win today are strong candidates to win medals in Budapest.

Those who will not finish in the top two might still have a chance to impress the coaches to put them as the third athlete in their respective races as they will have made the requirements needed by AIU.

While we congratulate those who finish in the top two positions in the 10,000m men final and the 5,000m women final yesterday we wish those who will be competing today all the best.

The trials also present the country an opportunity to scout for future talents and nurture them into promising sports careers. Every athlete should therefore put their best foot forward.

We know many will be keen to beat the likes of double world record holder Faith Kipyegon and all we can say is may the best athletes win and put up a strong team to the World Championships next month.