Strict Covid-19 rules in place for travelling stars

Kenyan athletes hoping to race in Diamond League meetings which resume next month will have to prepare for stringent Covid-19 protocols that will accompany invitations to the races.

The delayed track and field elite circuit starts in Monaco on August 14 and Rongai Athletics Club coach Ben Ouma says his athletes have been given a waiver to compete.

This following the European Union strict Covid-29 restrictions that placed Kenya among the list of nations whose citizens are yet to be cleared to travel to Schengen states.

Ouma said athletes travelling to Monaco when Kenya resumes international flights on August 1 will have to be tested for Covid-19 at least 72 hours before travelling, and must have Covid-19 clearance certificates.

“Those from the same club will be required to share hotel rooms unlike before when sharing was done randomly,” said Ouma, adding that those likely to get invites to this year’s Diamond League events are those that train as a group and in small numbers.

‘Answered so many questions

“They must have lived together for a longer period and those from regions not prevalent with Covid-19 cases have an advantage,” explained Ouma.

“We have answered so many questions from Monaco organisers and all is geared towards the safety of athletes.”

Ouma’s athletes — defending 1,500 metres champion Timothy Cheruiyot and former champion Elijah Manang’oi — are among athletes invited for Monaco’s led of the Diamond League.

Kenyan athletes have been dealt a major blow this season with loss of earnings from the international circuit due to cancellation of global sporting events owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kenya athletes will be hit hard should the country continue to remain on the European Union Covid-19 compliance “blacklist” when the 2020 Diamond League circuit resumes next month.

The Ministry of Sports has been in talks with EU member states to allow Kenyan athletes compete in the Diamond League series in Europe when the skies open.