- Tuwei also said the invited runners, 92 men and 68 women, have all met the testing requirements by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei has confirmed 160 athletes have been invited for the national trials for the World Athletics Championships scheduled for July 7-8 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Tuwei also said the invited runners, 92 men and 68 women, have all met the testing requirements by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
However, not all have met the qualification standards said Tuwei.
“All the invites have complied with the AIU and ADAK requirements but tests will continue before the selected team jets out. Qualified athletes are required to have undergone three doping tests within 10 months to the Championships and we put that into consideration,” said Tuwei.
“We also considered the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships entry standards, the World ranking quota, World Athletics season’s top list and the 2023 National Championships top performers while sending the invites,” he added.
Tuwei further urged all invited athletes to pick their running bib numbers in person on Thursday, July 6 starting from 9 am to 6 pm at the Nyayo Stadium.
“Any athlete who fails to pick their bib numbers on Thursday will not be allowed to compete in the trials. Additionally, runners must come with their passport and national Identity Card.”
On the criteria of selection, the AK boss said that the first two runners to cross the finish line will qualify for the global showpiece provided they have met the qualifying standards.
He added that for races that will require a third athlete, the selection will be decided by the panel of selectors led by its chairman Paul Mutwii.
“Third athlete to qualify will be decided by the selection panel. If any athlete meets the qualification standards after the trials and before July 30 he or she will be considered. This will apply only for events that will not have the maximum number of three athletes,” Tuwei noted.
The President also reiterated that athletes with wild cards must compete in the trials in order to be in Team Kenya to Budapest.
In a race where two or more athletes with wild cards are competing, only the fastest will be selected.
The decision to double races will be a preserve of the selection panel.
After the trials, the picked athletes will be accommodated for documentation and other administration requirements.
Some of the elite names invited include Commonwealth champion and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, world 800m bronze medalist Mary Moraa, 1500m world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, 1500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon, 3000m steeplechase world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech among others.
Walkers Samwel Gathimba and Emily Ngii have qualified for Budapest but will also take part in the trails.
The selection panel during the trials will consist of Paul Mutwii, Barnaba Korir, Ibrahim Hussein, Patrick Sang, John Kimetto, Milcah Chemos, Kennedy Tanui, Charlotte Kurgoy, Stephen Mwaniki and Fred Oundo.