Sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki has set an ambitious plan of qualifying at least 20 sprinters for the Olympic Games in Paris, France, later this month.
Mwaniki said things are looking up on the short distances going by the times clocked during the Athletics Kenya weekend meetings.
The seasoned coach is training Kenya Prisons sprinters at the Nyayo Stadium, with eyes stuck on the national trials, set for February 16-17, ahead of the African Games on March 8-24 in Accra, Ghana.
“I have about 30 Prisons athletes led by David Sanayek (400m) and Esther Bagari (100m, 200m) as we sharpen up for the national trials for the African Games,” said Mwaniki.
“I feel the continental Games offer a perfect opportunity for our athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games. I hope we can qualify at least 20 sprinters for the Olympic Games... 10 from Prisons.”
He observed that having started the season early means the runners can hit a peak at the right time since it presents athletes with opportunities to test themselves and hunt for qualifying times.
And as opposed to last year when ‘Omanyalamania’ engulfed sprinting circles with little success, Mwaniki says statistics are encouraging this year.
“What we are doing is part of the ‘Road to the Olympics’. I am confident we will surprise many, especially in the relays. Some of our athletes are clocking as fast as 10.34 and 10.29 in the 100m whereas the qualifying time is 10 seconds,” said Mwaniki.
“This training towards the African Games trials sets the stage for them to push as hard as possible with eyes on both the Olympic Games and the World Relay Championships in Bahamas (May 4-5).
He also hopes that a proposal to have Kenyan sprinters train in Miramas, France, ahead of the Olympics will come in handy in their quest to realise the country’s potential in sprinting for gold.
