'It doesn't make sense' - Athletes question AK's move to conduct trials in US
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.06.25. | 20:47
In 2024, the event was used as a Paris Olympics trial for the men’s and women’s 10,000m Kenyan teams
Athletics Kenya’s decision to host part of their 2025 World Athletics Championships trials in the United States has been questioned by a number of Kenyan athletes, some of whom have faulted the move as “unacceptable.”
The national body in charge of athletics last week announced the plan to have the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m trials at this year’s Prefontaine Classic - a Diamond League event set for Saturday, 5 July in Eugene.
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The venue, in the AK communique, was labelled as “competitive and world-class”, and a place the Kenyan athletes had, over the years, “shone and etched their names in record books with memorable performances.”
In 2024, the event was used as a Paris Olympics trial for the men’s and women’s 10,000m, and witnessed Beatrice Chebet register a world record time.
But speaking to Nation Sports on the condition of anonymity, a section of Kenyan athletes are up in arms over the AK communication, protesting against its timing, inconvenience and bias.
“We should have been told well in advance of the trials being moved, and perhaps the date included in the calendar of events,” one athlete said.
“They can’t wake up one day and make decisions without even consulting us, our management or coaches - it’s unacceptable.”
Another claimed being denied a fair shot in competing against the top names in the respective events, saying: “We young athletes who have the potential to qualify also want to compete against the likes of Beatrice Chebet and Agnes Ngetich. They have no reason to take the trials to the USA and deny us that chance.”
In AK’s defense, the decision mainly stems from Nairobi’s high altitude, which limits athletes from setting fast times.
The World Championships qualifying mark for the men’s 10,000m is 27:00.00, with the women’s 5,000m target time standing at 14:50.00.
Other athletes questioned the need to undergo mandatory testing in readiness for the national trials.
“AIU and ADAK shouldn’t have tested us when AK had specific people in mind for the trials,” one athlete offered. “It doesn't make sense. Our mindset and planning have been distorted.”
The national trials for the men’s 5,000m and women’s 10,000m will meanwhile take place on Friday, 1 August and Saturday, 2 August at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
