NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – Newly crowned world record holder Beatrice Chebet has appealed for the temporary reopening of Nyayo Stadium to allow for the national trials for the Paris Olympics. The World Cross Country champion said this would spare many upcoming athletes the agony of travelling outside the country to pursue qualifying times for their respective races. “We plead with the Cabinet Secretary (Ababu Namwamba) to allow for the reopening of Nyayo so we can conduct national trials there.
..at least for two days then they can close it for renovations once again.
For us to go competing at the Prefontaine Classic, it was also due to a lack of a suitable venue. If I had not run there, I probably would not have clocked the qualifying time for the men’s 10,000m,” Chebet said. World record holder for the women’s 10,000m Beatrice Chebet (C) flanked by National Olympic Committee (NOCK) deputy secretary general Shoaib Vaiyani (R) and world 800m champion Mary Moraa.
PHOTO/RAYMOND MAKHAYA The world 5000m bronze medalist further discouraged holding the national trials at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, noting that many potential Olympians will be locked out. “If we do it at Ulinzi, most of the athletes have not qualified and yet we need to motivate as many upcoming athletes as possible by enabling them compete in world class conditions. Holding the national trials at Ulinzi will mean selecting those who have already met the qualifying time, some of who may not be in good shape.
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