Change in Olympic trials program as Tanzanian athletes enter fray

Ferdinand Omanyala (right) crosses finishing line ahead of Benson Okot of Uganda

Ferdinand Omanyala (right) crosses finishing line ahead of Benson Okot of Uganda during Athletics Kenya Tokyo Olympic Games pre-trials 100 metres race at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi on May 28, 2021.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Kirwa said he isn't worried about Kenya's rivals especially from Ethiopia, breaking World records and setting some of the fastest times in the world.
  • Kirwa also called on Kenyan athletes not to worry but stay focused.

Athletics Kenya has effected changes to their program for the Tokyo Olympics trials that start Thursday at the Moi International Sports Centre after Uganda and Tanzania confirmed participation.

The 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 5,000m races will start at the semi-final level on the opening day of the three-day championships.

However, the women's 5,000m will head straight to the final in a race that will open the busy competition at 10am on Thursday with the women's 1,500m final too going down at 11.54am the same day.

Initially, it’s only the men’s 800m that was to start with the semi-final on Thursday.

Uganda, which will participate in all the track events hass 22 athletes, Tanzania has eight athletes, while host Kenya has 368 participants.

Field event athletes are also on the cards going straight to the final with men and women's hammer, men's high jump and men and women’s triple jump on Thursday.

Men's javelin and shot put finals will feature on Saturday.

"We are ready for the trials. We have strong men and women who will represent the country, "said head coach Julius Kirwa.

Kirwa said he isn't worried about Kenya's rivals especially from Ethiopia, breaking World records and setting some of the fastest times in the world.

Kirwa also called on Kenyan athletes not to worry but stay focused.

"We shall strategise after and put in place all the machinery after selecting the team," said Kirwa.

"We are heading into a championship event where we have no pacesetters or wave light technology." 

Athletics Kenya director of competitions, Paul Mutwii, disclosed that they will on Tuesday release the details on how the athletes will arrive and where they will be accomodated.

 Program 
Day One: Thursday
9.00 Officials Assembly 
10.00am 5,000m (w) final
10.00 Hammer (w/m) final 
10.25 100mH (m) final
10.45 400m (w) semi-final
10.50 400m (w) semi-final
10.55 400m (m) semi-final
11.00 400m (m) semi-final
11.00 High jump (m) final
11.10 100m (w) semi-final
11.15 100m (w) semi-final
11. 20 100m 9m) semi-final 
11.30 100m (m) semi-final
Health Break
11.55am 1,500m (w) final
11.55 Triple jump 9w/m) final
12.05pm 5,000m (m) semi-final
12.20 5,000m (m) semi-final
12.30 100m 9w) final
12.40 100m (m) final
12. 800m 9m) semi-final
1.00 800m (m) semi-final)
 
Day Two: Friday
7.30am 20km (w/m) walk final
9.30 Briefing of officials
10.00 200m (w) semi-final 
10.05 200m (w) semi-final
10.05 Javelin (w0 final
10.15 200m (m) semi-final
10.20 200m (m) semi-final
10.20 long jump (w/m) final
10.35 4x400m (mixed relay) final                       
11.15 10,000m (m) final
11.25 400mH (w) final
11.35 400mH (m) final
11.45 3,000m s/c (w) final
 
Day Three: Saturday
9.30 briefing of officials
10.15 400m (w) final
10.20 400m (m) final
10.25 javelin (m) final
10.25 10,000m (w) final           
11.00 1,500m final (m) final
11.10 200m (w) final
11.15 200m (m) final
11.15 Shot put (m) final
11.20 3,000s/c (m) final
11.35 800m (w) final
11.40 800m (m) final
11.45 5,000m (m) final
12.05 4x400m relay (w) final
12.40 4x400m (m) final