Team Kenya has wasted no time getting into gear for next month’s Tokyo World Championships, with residential training camps already in session.
Team manager Philip Ngovi confirmed that the squad is expected to reach full capacity once the Diamond League circuit and other World Athletics Continental Tour meets wrap up. The contingent has been split into two training bases.
Sprinters and field event specialists are honing their craft at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, while middle- and long-distance runners, including the marathon squad, are fine-tuning their endurance at Eldoret’s high-altitude Kazi Mingi camp.
Nairobi is ideal for sprint training because of its low altitude, which is essential for sprint training because it reduces air resistance during races.
Middle and long-distance athletes train in Eldoret primarily due to the city's high altitude and favourable climate, which are ideal for enhancing endurance and stamina.
"Our athletes have already started getting into camp. We have the middle and long distance as well as marathoners in Eldoret with the sprinters and field athletes in Nairobi," Ngovi said.
"In Nairobi, we almost have a full house with only one or two athletes away, and in Eldoret, we have around 20 athletes because of the ongoing Diamond League. But when they are over, we expect a full house," he added.
The Eldoret camp officially opens today, with Nairobi’s following on Friday. Preparations, Ngovi stressed, are running smoothly.
"Apart from the few missing athletes, preparations are in full swing. The team is good, we don't have any major injuries, and we are expecting good results in Tokyo," he stated. Athletics Kenya is also closely monitoring triple jump star Winny Bii and javelin thrower Irene Chepkemboi, both currently within the World Championships qualifying quotas.
Bii sits 36th (1,158 points) in the triple jump, while Chepkemboi is 35th (1,094 points) in the javelin, well within the 36-athlete quota in their respective events
"We have our female field event athletes who are within the World rankings, and we are keeping an eye on them, trying to find events for them to ensure they stay within the World rankings before the August 24 deadline."
AK has already begun issuing competition kits, with travel documents and tickets in place.
"AK has issued kits to the athletes in Nairobi, with those in Eldoret set to be issued with kits from Thursday. The ministry has already secured tickets and all travel documentation."
