AK plea to allow Kenyans race in Diamond League
Rhonex Kipruto of Kenya reacts after crossing the finish line to win the men's 10,000m race during the IAAF Diamond League competition on May 30, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden.
What you need to know:
- Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei said that the events in Europe are the only opening available for athletes who have lost massive earnings to make some money
- The runners will be hit hard should the country continue to remain on the Covid-19 compliance “blacklist” when the 2020 Diamond League circuit resumes in August
- Athletes from Kenya’s neighbours Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda are among the African countries who will be allowed to enter the Schengen states when the travel ban is lifted
Athletics Kenya has appealed to the Sports Ministry to negotiate with their counterparts in the European Union to ensure Kenyan athletes take part in the Diamond League races in Europe.
Kenya is among the countries that are yet to be cleared to travel into Schengen states when the European Union (EU) opens its borders on July 1. The borders were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei said that the events in Europe are the only opening available for athletes who have lost massive earnings to make some money.
The runners will be hit hard should the country continue to remain on the Covid-19 compliance “blacklist” when the 2020 Diamond League circuit resumes in August.
Kenya is not among 54 countries that will benefit from the reopening of the EU borders from July 1.
RISE IN COVID-19 CASES
Things haven’t been made any easier as Kenya’s Covid-19 cases continue to rise. The nation has reported 6,190 cases, with 144 deaths and 2,013 recoveries by Monday.
Athletes from Kenya’s neighbours Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda are among the African countries who will be allowed to enter the Schengen states when the travel ban is lifted.
“We can only request authorities to look at how they can engage the European Union as soon as possible for the sake of our athletes,” Tuwei said.
He called on Kenyan athletes not to lose hope but continue training as they observe Covid-19 social distancing and hygiene rules. “The situation won’t be like this forever,” Tuwei said.
Should the ban be sustained, then Kenya’s world 1,500 metres champion Timothy Cheruiyot will not be able to defend his title alongside former champion Elijah Manang’oi, among others, during the Monaco leg of the Diamond League on August 14.
Monaco will kick off the resumption of Diamond League action. More Kenyan athletes are likely to miss the Stockholm meet on August 23 in Sweden and if the EU doesn’t clear Kenya then athletes will also miss the Brussels leg on September 4 in Belgium since the Lausanne meet on September 2 will be an exhibition event.
The other events lined up in Europe are British Grand Prix on September 12 in Gateshead and Rome on September 17 in Italy. A number of Diamond League meets have been cancelled owing to the coronavirus.
