Athletics Kenya Olympic Pre-Trials
The Tokyo Olympic pre-trials for Kenyan athletes is scheduled to run from May 27th to 29th at the Nyayo National Stadium. The event is accessible to athletes who have been invited to participate.
It is so great to see new names that are emerging being given a chance to qualify for the Olympic team. Some of the notable ones include Mark Lomuket who recently came seemingly out of nowhere to beat Ethiopia’s world number one, Selemon Barega, by running a world leading time of 13:01.7. Another one is Collins Koros who just won the KDF national championship titles in both the 5000m and 10,000m events.
Other Kenyan athletes who were invited include Mark Otieno Odhiambo, Ferdinand Omanyala, Monica Sodaina, Wisemen Were and Sheila Jepkosgei. However, big names like Hellen Obiri, Timothy Cheruiyot, Beatrice Chepkoech, Kibiwott Kandie, Geoffrey Kamworor and Faith Kipyegon are noticeably missing on the start lists. Could it be Athletics Kenya is using the pre-trials as a way of eliminating some runners to have a shorter start lists for the Olympic trials on 17th - 19th June.
As it has been during other athletic events, due to the COVID 19 protocols, no spectators will be allowed in the stadium. In addition, runners who are eliminated in their respective heats will not be allowed to come back into the stadium the following day.