- All finalists in Bahamas qualify for the Olympics
- The 4x100m team is seeking a first ever qualification
- Kenya will send three teams to Bahamas
Kenya will send three teams to the World Athletics Relay Championships in Bahamas, with qualification to the Olympic Games topping their minds.
The men will have teams in the 4x100m team, the 4x400m while the women have sent only a 4x400m team to Nassau. According to World Athletics, top 14 teams in each event at the World Athletics Relays will automatically qualify for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The remaining two places in each discipline will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (31 December 2022 to 30 June 2024).
Olympic places are up for grabs on both days of action in The Bahamas. On the first day, the top two teams in each heat will advance to the final on day two, while also securing their qualification for the Paris Olympic Games.
In the finals on day two, teams will compete for prize money and obtain Olympic lane seeding positions.
All other teams will compete on day two in the additional round where the top two teams in each heat will also qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Kenya seek maiden Olympics ticket
Ferdinand Omanyala blazes through the 100m at the Commonwealth Games. PHOTO/Team Kenya
Kenya will look to have a 4x100m team at the Olympic Games for the first time ever, and this desire is driven by African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala.
In the team, Omanyala is joined by former national record holders Mark Otieno and Mike Mokamba as well as Hesborn Ochieng, Meshack Babu and Samuel Chege.
The team has been training at the Nyayo National Stadium and departs the country on Wednesday, May 1st.
“My desire is to see the relay team qualify for the Olympic Games and that is my biggest target at the moment. I believe we have a very good team and we have put some work in training so we will be good to go,” Omanyala, who has individually already qualified for the Olympics in the 100m said.
Otieno who has just returned from a two-year doping ban has competed in several races in South Africa and also ran at the Kip Keino Classic, though he couldn’t get a good time. However, he also remains confident that he can bring something to the team to help them qualify.
The 4x400m team is also seeking a ticket to Paris. The team comprises David Sanayek, Kevin Kipkorir, Nathaniel Kipngetich, Boniface Mweresa, Brian Tinega and USA-based Moitalel Mpoke.
Mweresa already qualified
Boniface Mweresa picks up the baton at the Commonwealth Games PHOTO/team kenya
Mweresa, just like Omanyala, has qualified individually in the 400m, but wants to see the team also join him in the plane to Paris.
“It would be great to have the relay teams in Paris and this is what we have been working on. Heading to Bahamas, that is our target and we want to ensure we make it to the final in Bahamas. I think everyone in the team is well able to do well,” said Mweresa.
He adds; “Personally I have started the season so well because I began with an indoors season’s best and I believe I am in good shape.”
Mweresa reckons that despite expecting stiff competition especially from Caribean nation teams, they are up to standard and can match up.
Meanwhile, the women’s team will also be seeking a place at the Olympic Games. The team comprises of Joan Cherono, Diana Chebet, Veronica Mutua, Jackline Nanjala, Rahab Ndirangu and Vanice Kerubo.
They are also optimistic of battling for a place in the plane to Paris. “We have prepared well and ready for competition. Competing at the Olympic Games is every athlete’s dream,” Cherono, who was also at last year’s World Relays said.
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