Lack of qualifying times forces Kenya to skip three events at World Relay championships

Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-17 23:49:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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NAIROBI, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will not field teams in 4x100m, 4x400m and the shuttle relay events after failing to secure the required qualification time for the World Relay Championships, which will be held in Yokohama, Japan next month.

Paul Mutwii, Athletics Kenya Vice President, said the 20-member squad will compete in four races - 4x200m (men and women), 4x400m mixed relay and 2x2x400m mixed relay.

The World Relay Championships will be held in Yokohama, Japan on May 11-12.

"We only have athletes in the events that don't require IAAF World Relays 2019 entry standards. These athletes were selected at the National Championships to represent Kenya at the event," said Mutwii, Wednesday in Nairobi.

The team will start their residential training in Nairobi on Thursday for two weeks before departing to Yokohama.

"IAAF World Relays 2019 entry standards are established for the 4x100m, 4x400m and the shuttle relay events which our teams have not qualified. We have no business entering a team in the three events," added Mutwii.

Kenya was hopeful to get a qualifying race before the deadline for entry submission, but AK has confirmed there is none lined up.

This comes after world athletics governing body IAAF declined to recognize the times posted by teams at the African Championships held last year in Asaba, Nigeria.

Kenya finished sixth in the 2017 games with 16 points same as China. USA dominated the championships having 60 points ahead of Jamaica (39), with Australia third with 24 points.

Poland (23) and Trinidad and Tobago (17) were fourth and fifth respectively.

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