Daniel Mateiko wins the 10,000m race ahead of Bernard Kibet during the Prefontaince Classic Diamond League on May 25, 2024 in USA.
A section of athletes have protested the move by Athletics Kenya (AK) to stage the men’s 10,000 metres and women’s 5,000 metres trials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the United States.
AK last week announced that this year’s Prefontaine Classic Diamond League, scheduled for July 5 in Eugene, Oregon, will serve as the selection platform for the two events. Each field will include 12 athletes.
AK similarly used last year’s Prefontaine Classic to select teams for the men’s and women’s 10,000m races for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Several athletes, who requested anonymity, have faulted the federation for poor communication.
They say AK should have included the trial dates in its calendar of events, which was unveiled at a ceremony last year.
In messages shared within athletes’ WhatsApp groups, some questioned the rationale behind the July 5 trials, especially as many have yet to begin speed training for their events.
They also challenged the decision to isolate only two races for overseas trials, despite earlier AK explanations also referencing the men’s 5,000m and women’s 10,000m.
The national trials for other events at the World Athletics Championships—set for September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan—have also been moved from July 25–26 to August 1–2 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
The qualifying standards are 14:50.00 for the women’s 5,000m and 29:00.00 for the men’s 10,000m, whether achieved on track or road.
“We should then have all men’s and women’s 10,000m and 5,000m trials held in the USA if we are genuine here,” said one athlete, expressing scepticism about how AK plans to select just 12 athletes when over 100 have met the anti-doping regulations of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
However, AK Executive Committee member and federation spokesperson, Barnaba Korir, defended the decision.
He said only six athletes have met the qualifying marks for each of the two events, and the federation wants to give an opportunity to six others who are close to the standards.
Korir cited Nairobi’s high altitude as a limiting factor in achieving fast times.
“We should have been told well in advance of the trials being moved, and perhaps the date included in the calendar of events. We can’t wake up one day and make decisions without even consulting us, our management, or coaches—it’s unacceptable,” another athlete protested.
“It means that we have one month to the trials, then those who will have qualified will stay for two months before the World Championships. It doesn’t make sense,” said another athlete, pointing out that the qualifying window closes on August 24.
“Our mindset and planning have been distorted.”
Many young athletes expressed disappointment, saying they are now being denied a fair shot to compete against top names.
“We, young athletes who have the potential to qualify, also want to compete against the likes of Beatrice Chebet and Agnes Ng’etich. They have no reason to take the trials to the USA and deny us that chance,” said another athlete.
Concerns have also emerged from last year’s experience, where several athletes faced visa delays ahead of the Paris Olympics trials.
“Some athletes like Daniel Simiu, who had the potential of giving us a medal in 10,000m in Paris, arrived late because of visa issues and yet they couldn’t give him a wild card,” explained an athlete, adding that unlike Kenya, “Ethiopia holds their trials outside the country but it’s in their calendar.”
Some questioned the transparency of AK's selection process, especially given the emphasis on anti-doping compliance.
“AIU and ADAK shouldn’t have tested us when AK had specific people in mind for the trials,” one athlete said.
Korir acknowledged last year’s logistical issues, but assured athletes that visa matters had been addressed.
“In any case, nobody expects miracles to happen since performers won’t come from outside the athletes they will have selected,” Korir noted, adding that both qualification standards and world rankings would be used to determine the team.
Korir also said no athlete has ever run 27:00.00 for 10,000m on Kenyan soil. The closest was Geoffrey Kamworor’s 27:01.06 during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics trials at Kasarani.
“It’s tough at high altitude, and if you note, four of the seven athletes that met the standards did so at last year’s Prefontaine Classic,” said Korir.
He added that sportswear giant Nike will sponsor the trials, and the Kenyan government has endorsed the plan.
