A showdown is expected on Saturday night as Kenyan athletes take to the tracks at the Pre-Fontaine Classic Diamond League in the USA, all eyeing Olympic games tickets.
10,000 metres for both men and women has been fully designated as an Olympic Games qualification race, with Kenya sending a team of 29 athletes: 15 women and 14 men.
Battle titans are expected in both races, as only the top three with Olympic qualification time will punch their tickets for the 31st summer games in Paris, France.
The women’s race, which will open the session on Saturday, will feature the fastest athlete in the 10 km, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, facing off Sirikwa classic cross country champion Emmaculate Anyango and two-time world cross country champion Beatrice Chebet.
Other contenders will be Grace Loibach Nawowuna, Lillian Kasait, Margaret Chelimo, Janeth Chepnetich, Cintia Chepng’eno, Diana Chepkori, Faith Cherotich, Loice Chemnung, Esca Chelang’at, Mirriam Chebet, Selah Busienei, and Catherine Reline Amanang’ole.
The women’s qualification time is set at 30 minutes and 40 seconds.
The men’s race will feature last year’s world silver medalist in the 24 lap race, Daniel Ebenyo Simiu, 2022 world silver medalist Stanley Waithaka, Samwel Chebolei, Bennett Kiplangat, Peter Mwaniki, and Nicholas Kipkorir.
Others are Benard Koech, Edwin Kurgat, Ronald Kwemoi, Weldon Langat, Daniel Mateiko, and Gideon Rono.
The qualification time for the men’s race is 27.00 minutes.
Many Kenyan athletes have been forced to seek qualification for Olympic games in foreign competitions owing to the unavailability of world athletics-certified stadiums.
The move has further jeopardised the Olympic Games trials set for the 14th and 15th of next month at the Ulinzi sports complex, with many athletes not keen on participating as times posted won’t be recognised by the World Athletics.
