WRE Bahamas24: Team Kenya off to false start

Team Kenya in Bahamas was off to a disappointing start in the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, which happened at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium in Nassau on Sunday morning.

All four teams failed to sparkle in the first event. The mixed relay, men’s 4 by 100m, and women’s 4 by 400m all finished last in their respective heats, while the men’s 4 by 400m relay team settled for fifth place.

The poor performance will see Kenya fight harder for an Olympic slot. The top teams from day one sealed an automatic Olympic qualification, while the rest will have a chance to bounce back on day two when the top six teams join the eight automatic qualifiers.

This means that the Kenyans must fight tooth and nail to register impressive results to secure a slot in the Olympics.

The men’s 4 by 100m team finished last in Heat 4 in a time of 39:38 seconds. The team consisted of Meshack Babu of the Kenya Defence Forces, three-time Kenyan national sprint champion Mark Otieno, and Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala.

The team will chase their dream on Monday morning (3.06 am Kenyan time), where they will be in Heat 3 against a strong contingent that includes the Bahamas, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Their brothers in the 4 by 400m mixed relay team find themselves in Heat 2 together with Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and India. They finished last in Heat 3 after running in 3:19:90 and will be keen to sparkle on day two and will be hoping to be among the top six and secure an Olympic slot. The race will be at 2:05 am Kenyan time.

At the same time, the women’s 4 by 400m team has been pooled in Heat Three alongside Switzerland, Cuba, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Botswana.

The team is made up of Joan Cherono, Diana Chebet, Vanice Nyagisera and Rahab Ndirangu. They clocked 3:44.62 to settle for seventh place in Heat 3 and will fight tooth and nail to improve their performance.

WRE Bahamas24: Kenyan teams begin hunt for Olympic qualification

Meanwhile, the men’s 4x400m relay team carries the country’s hopes after finishing fifth in Heat 3 on the first day. The experienced team registered a season’s best time of 3:03.29.

It is made up of Wiseman Were, Boniface Mweresa, David Sanayok, and Brian Kapirante. They will be hoping to keep the fine form going on day two. The race will be at 4:08 pm EAT.

They, however, face stiff competition from their Heat 1 opponents; USA, hosts Bahamas, Dominican Republic, India, Qatar and Mexico.

Team Kenya times

Men’s 4 by 100m -3:06 am EAT

Men’s 4 by 400m -2:05 am EAT

Women’s 4 by 400m - 3:32 EAT

Men’s 4 by 400m relay - 4:08 pm EAT