Athletics: Season-opening track & field event takes off in Nairobi

The first Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meet begins today at Nyayo Stadium, attracting 400 athletes as they seek to gauge their shape ahead of international events lined up this season.
Athletics Kenya Nairobi branch chairman Barnaba Korir said Nyayo Stadium was chosen to host the two-day event due to its fine tartan track.
“The competition was initially meant to be a one-day event, but we realised it is important to have it for two days so that athletes competing in long distances can have a chance to ru n in the finals,” Korir said.
Korir believes the weekend meet will help the athletes test their might.
Most were locked out of major competitions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the global championships the contestants are looking forward to qualify for include the World Championships in Oregon, US (15th to 24th July), Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Britain (August 2-7,2022), Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Reduit, Mauritius ( 8th to 12th June) and the World Indoors Championships in Belgrade, Serbia (18th to 20th March).
“The athletes will use the AK weekend meets to step up training for the international events.
“Some of them have gone to Europe where they will compete this weekend to earn qualification for the World Indoors.”
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