The National Olympic Committee of Kenya has revealed they are working with the International Olympic Committee to fast-track fencer Alexandra Ndolo's eligibility for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a statement, Nock said securing a waiver to have Ndolo, born of a Kenyan father and a German mother, compete at the Paris Games has proved challenging now that the fencer is still within the three-year waiting window as per the IOC guidelines.
Ndolo transferred her allegiance last year with Nock noting: “Under the International Olympic Committee guidelines, if an athlete expresses interest to change nationalities, they have a waiting period of three years to be allowed to compete under a different nationality.”
Nock noted that the fencer, who represented Germany for 15 years, had reached out to the Kenya Fencing Federation for support where the KFF chairman, Fred Chege, informed her of the current situation in terms of infrastructural development and funding in Kenya.
"She made her decision with the information at hand to represent Kenya in international fencing events,” the statement reads.
In addition, Nock said Ndolo could not get the funding she sought until the application for transfer of allegiance has been processed and ratified.
The national umbrella body added that a committee to review Ndolo's application will seat next month, from where a decision on the waiver is expected.
In addition, Nock will meet government representatives this week to discuss Team Kenya’s budget for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and where Ndolo's case will be part of the agenda.
"The Ministry will be having a retreat with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to consider all aspects of qualification and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics,” Nock said.
"The meeting is expected to come up with a strategic direction including but not limited to pathways of possible sports towards the Olympics. Ndolo is among the athletes whose pathway is a priority since she has a very high chance of doing well in the Olympics."
