Japan withdraws from 2017 World Under-18 Championships

World Under-18 Athletics Championship Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee (right) goes through the village Map with IAAF Head of Events Operations Carlo De Angeli and Head of Competition management Luis Saladie (left) on January 16, 2017 at Kenyatta University. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Japan becomes the latest country to withdraw from the World Under-18 Championships due for July 12-16 at Kasarani.
  • Japan has followed in the footsteps of champions USA, New Zealand, Britain, Australia, Canada and Switzerland who also pulled out of the event, citing security concerns.
  • However, World Under-18 Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee, on Monday indicated that there should be no cause for alarm as 130 countries have confirmed participation in the event.
  • Poland and Iraq are among the countries that will jet into the country early in readiness for the youth event, with countries like South Africa and Jamaica having already named their teams.
    Eyeing title

Japan has become the latest country to withdraw from the World Under-18 Championships due for July 12-16 at Kasarani, Nation Sport understands.

Japan has followed in the footsteps of champions USA, New Zealand, Britain, Australia, Canada and Switzerland who also pulled out of the event, citing security concerns.

However, World Under-18 Chief Executive Officer Mwangi Muthee, on Monday indicated that there should be no cause for alarm as 130 countries have confirmed participation in the event.

Poland and Iraq are among the countries that will jet into the country early in readiness for the youth event, with countries like South Africa and Jamaica having already named their teams.
Eyeing title

Among those in Jamaican team is fast-rising 200m sprinter Michael Stephens, who has set his sights on conquering Nairobi. “I was looking forward to facing the Americans,” he told IAAF website.

“I’m really disappointed they won’t be there.”

Nevertheless, the Jamaican’s aspirations remain the same. “I trust that I’ll be healthy and regardless of whoever is there I’m looking forward to bringing home the gold medal.”

Should he win in Kenya, Stephens will become the third Jamaican to lift the title behind Dexter Lee (2007) and Odail Todd (2011).

Muthee said that preparations are in top gear with 3,000 athletes and officials set top grace the youth competition. The Nairobi event will mark the final edition of the championships as the IAAF shifts its focus to Under-18 age-group continental championships.

The IAAF World U-18 Championships has proved a major stepping stone in the development of many of our sport’s stars since the first edition of the championships held in 1999 in Polish city of Bydgoszcz.