Noah Lyles slams USTAF's decision to host Team Kenya's Olympic 10,000m trials

Noah Lyles slams USTAF's decision to host Team Kenya's Olympic 10,000m trials

Abigael Wafula 15:00 - 23.05.2024

Triple world champion Noah Lyles is not happy with the Prefontaine Classic organisers for accepting to host Team Kenya's 10,000m Olympic qualifiers and has given reasons behind his argument.

Athletics Kenya announced that the 10,000m at the Prefontaine will be used to select a formidable team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a move that has rubbed some athletes the wrong way including triple world champion Noah Lyles.

Lyles, the two-time world 200m champion questioned the decision of the race organisers to host another country’s trials.

Lyles was replying to a comment from former Jamaican track runner and Olympic silver medallist Fitzroy Dunkley who had given an update concerning the visa hitch on his X handle (Twitter) on Wednesday, May 22.

He said: “Athletics Kenya decided to host their 10,000m trials at this weekend's Prefontaine diamond league in Eugene. The silver medalist in the event from last year, Daniel Ebenyo, was denied a visa to travel to the US This is a side of the sport that a lot of fans don't see."

However, Ebenyo has since received his visa and travelled to the US for the competition which is very important as far as Olympic glory beckons.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya Instagram handle for more updates.

Lyles replied to his comment lamenting why the organisers would make such a move even after the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

During the event, Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala was denied a visa and could not travel in time for the global showpiece. He was later granted the visa and arrived a few hours before taking to the starting line of the men’s 100m.

He was knocked out in the semifinal where he faded to finish fifth. However, Omanyala bounced back, winning the Commonwealth Games in style.

“Why in the world are we hosting another country's Olympic qualifier. We should know how much of an issue this is after Worlds '22. Also, their country won't be able so see their athletes make the team in person,” he said.

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