I'm not here to beat Yego, I’m here to help promote the sport, says Peters

Double world Javelin champion Anderson Peters says he is not in Nairobi to beat 2016 Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego but to promote the sport locally in Saturday's Kip Keino Classic. 

The 25-year-old Grenadian, who is literally on fire insists: “I look forward to competing in front of the Nairobi crowd. I know the fans here appreciate javelin."

“They are even mad about the sport now that Yego is also from Kenya. I’m looking forward to a supporting crowd, especially in the javelin contest,” he said.

The Commonwealth silver medallist said competing alongside Yego since 2017 has helped him to know Kenya's ‘Mr. Youtube’ so well, adding that he has learned a lot of skills and tricks about the game from the former African champion.

“I have been following the career and success of Yego over the years. He’s always been a good competitor and I’m looking forward to competing against him here but not to ‘beat’ each other,” Peters underlined.

“I believe by taking part in the Kip Keino Classic event together, both of us are going to inspire the next generation in the javelin.

Despite being his first time in Africa, Peters said he is willing to know and learn about the continent, more so Kenya, a country he has always admired its flag while being hoisted high in international meets.

“I have seen and noted that the Kenyan flag has some symbols like the two spears and I would really love to know what it all means,” he stated.

“I’m also here to know the roots of the African people and familiarise myself with the unrelenting African spirit that we have been taught and learned over the ages,” he added.

Apart from Peters and Yego, top track and field athletes across various categories have confirmed their participation in the Absa Kip Keino Classic, promising another action-packed leg of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event named after retired icon Kipchoge Keino.

The past three editions of the Kip Keino Classic have produced some of the most memorable moments in global athletics in recent years.

Double Olympic champion and five-time world championship women’s 100m winner Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (Jamaica) and sixth fastest woman of all time Sha’carri Richardson (USA), two-time Olympic medalist sprinter Aaron Brown (Canada) are among the latest crop of elite athletes who will grace this year’s edition.

Some of the Kenyan stars who will torch the track include World 1500m Indoor Championship bronze medallist Abel Kipsang, Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and 800m Commonwealth gold medalist Mary Moraa.