Kenyan national Olympic trials moved to Kasarani stadium in Nairobi from Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium

A session at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. Photo by Justin Lagat
A session at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. Photo by Justin Lagat

On Sunday the 16th of May, Athletics Kenya officials visited the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret to assess its readiness to host the national Olympic trials that had been scheduled for 17th  to 19th.June.

After retiring to analyze the situation, the federation has finally made a decision to move the trials to the Moi International Stadium, Kasarani in Nairobi on the same dates. This is according to a press release on Tuesday 18th May.

To the technical experts, this is a welcome move to test and improve on the conditions of the Stadium in Kasarani ahead of the World Athletics inspectors visiting it to check on the preparations for the World U20 championships that will happen in August.

Still no fans 

Whereas similar moves in the sporting world in the recent past have been characterized by a recoil in the COVID-19 numbers and positivity rate in the country, the reason for this shift was quite another. 

On the flip side, the mini-olympics as we like to call it, will take place with no fans at the stadium. The Athletics Kenya President, Mr. Tuwei indicated the no fans decision was tentative. Well, fans can’t wait to cheer their favorites and chant the popular “Enda! Enda!” slogan.

The Olympic trials will be for invited athletes only; those who would have made the qualification standards and probables.