L. MathekaCrème de la crème of Kenya’s Athletics set to clash for World Championship slots
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 02.07.23. | 18:28
Athletes who wish to double will be allowed to do so, however, the decision to double at the world championships will be a preserve of a 10-person selection panel headed by AK’s head of competitions Paul Mutwii
Nyayo National Stadium will be home to 160 athletes who converge on Friday and Saturday (7 and 8 July) for the Athletics Kenya (AK) trials for the World Athletics Championships set for Budapest Hungary from 19 to 27 August.
The rules for qualification and for competing in the invite-only races from the last few editions have been upheld, top of the list being compliance with antidoping testing requirement.
Only 160 athletes have been invited for next weekend's Trials to Budapest worlds, sources reports.
— Gilbert Koech (@koechspoti) July 1, 2023
AK boss said that the first two runners to cross the finish line will qualify provided they have met the qualifying standards and anti-doping #Budapest2023 pic.twitter.com/B14KrJ8ag7
Only athletes who have achieved championship entry standards or those likely to qualify through the World ranking quota, World Athletics seasons top list and the national championship top performers have been invited.
All invited athletes must participate to be selected, including wild card holders with those making the team required to make a commitment by signing a commitment form.
The first two athletes to cross the finish line will automatically be selected provided they have qualified as per the World athletics Entry Standards.
Athletes who wish to double will be allowed to do so, however, the decision to double at the world championships will be a preserve of a 10-person selection panel headed by AK’s head of competitions Paul Mutwii.
As it has been the norm, the selection of the third athlete where necessary is subject to the decision of the selection panel. Wild card athletes must compete at the trials.
Kenya already has five wild cards in 1500m women as Faith Kipyegon is the world champion and Diamond League (DL) champion, 800m with Mary Moraa having won the DL, Beatrice Chebet for her exploits in the DL final in Zurich in 5000m while men’s 800m defending champion Emmanuel Korir and 5000M DL winner Nicholas Kimeli all have their tickets assured. They still have to compete this weekend.
In sprints, the country has three who have hit qualifying times led by Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala in 100m, Wiseman Were in 400m/hurdles and Boniface Mweresa in 400m.
