How NOC-K plans to manage athletes' disappointments ahead of 2024

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OLYMPICS How NOC-K plans to manage athletes' disappointments ahead of 2024

Abigael Wafula 20:00 - 28.03.2023

Mutuku noted that they will be keen on working with the rules implemented by the international Federations.

With the Paris Olympics set for 2024, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya Secretary General Francis Mutuku has revealed that the federation is keen to ensure athletes qualify for the events in a justified way.

Mutuku noted that they will be keen on working with the rules implemented by the international Federations to make their work easier.

“We normally have clear rules on the criteria for participation. We abide by the rules of the international federation this helps us to avoid disappointments at all costs,” Mutuku told nation sport.

Mutuku added that they would also want to make sure athletes from all over the country are aware of what is needed of them.

“We do not want anyone to think they have qualified and then disappoint them at the last minute. We want them to be able to know what is allowed and what’s prohibited,” he said.

Recently, World Athletics voted to ban transgender women from elite female competitions if they have undergone male puberty with an aim to protect the future of the female category.

He added that the ruling by World Athletics focuses on fairness but going forward, they will be keen to look at how disadvantaged athletes will also find a space to participate. 

Mutuku added that with other federations embracing the World Athletics approach and giving guidelines in good time, it will give them enough time to prepare as they select the teams.

“If anyone starts at an advantageous position in athletics, that will not be fair. However, the athletes who are not allowed to start will definitely have to be accommodated in one way or another,” he said.