In recent years, Kenya's Kip Keino Classic (meeting) has demonstrated its organizational skills. Given the experience gained and the central role of athletics in the country. According to the president of Athletics Kenya, the country's ambition is to be one of the 14 stops on the Diamond League circuit. This would be recognition of the country's progress in terms of organization and infrastructure. In addition, it would provide the country with more arguments for its bids, such as that to host the 2029 World Championships.
Through the organization of the Kip Keino, Kenya aims to make a strong case for joining the Diamond League circuit.
Kenya is keen to join the Diamond League circuit. The country is also working towards this goal. However, to join the 14-stage circuit, one of the current hosts would have to withdraw.
This was made clear by Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei, speaking in the context of the forthcoming Kip Keino classic."The Diamond League is organized slightly differently from other events. It has its own committee and only 14 events (stages) and they have limited it to that. No other country or federation can join unless one of the current countries is exempted or withdraws..."
Tuwei is keeping his fingers crossed that an opportunity will soon present itself and that the country will be given top priority. The country has a strong case with the success, in recent years and growing, of the Kip Keino Classic World Continental Tour Gold, whose 2024 edition will take place, on April 20, at Nyano National Stadium.
The president of Athletics Kenya also informed that the committee has submitted all the necessary applications to be part of the circuit."We have applied to be considered for promotion to the Diamond League. Since we applied, no organization has withdrawn or been discontinued, so we are simply waiting. But I can assure you that we will follow up and make sure we are considered. We don't want to exclude anyone (country), but we hope that in the near future this event (Kip Keino Classic) will be promoted to a Diamond League event."
Tuwai believes that Kenya has the arguments in its favor. One of them is the record of recent editions of the Kip Keino. That's why Kenya is also bidding to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029. And integration into the Diamond League circuit would be a strong argument for other events that Kenya wants to organize."It's not just about athletics... it's also about capacity building. Through this event, we are building the capacity of our technical officials to be able to organize a bigger event in the future, including the World Championships. We hope this will take place in Kenya," he adds.
Returning to the scale of the Kip Keino classic, this year's event will feature some of the world's top names. The international line-up includes: US Olympic 200 m silver medallist Kenneth Bednarek; three-time Olympic hammer throw champion Anita Wlodarczyk; men's champion Wojciech Nowicki; German Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler; 2022 world hammer throw champion, and more.
Local stars include Commonwealth Games 100 m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, world 800 m champion Mary Moraa and world 800 m silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
The event promises to be a great one! Finally, the current Diamond League circuit has only one African stopover, in Rabat. Which will host this year's edition on May 19.
10 days to go #AbsaKipkeinoClassic2024 Time to get down to business and witness as the world's best set the track ablaze. #TwendeNyayoStadium pic.twitter.com/jet4MIkbry
— Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour (@KipKeinoClassic) April 10, 2024
