Athletics Kenya's measures to address US visa challenges ahead of World U20 Championships

Athletics Kenya (AK) is ramping up early preparations to avoid a repeat of visa-related disruptions that have previously affected Kenyan athletes ahead of major global championships in the United States.

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The World Under-20 Championships are scheduled for Sunday, 2 to Sunday, 9 August in Eugene, Oregon, USA, with national trials set for Thursday, 21 to Saturday, 23 May at Nyayo Stadium.

The trials were moved forward deliberately to give selected athletes sufficient time to process US visas and complete pre-championship preparations.

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According to Athletics Kenya youth development chair Barnaba Korir, the federation has already engaged the US Embassy in a bid to streamline the application process for the team.

“On the application for visas, we had a meeting with officials from the US embassy last week and discussed how we could apply for visas for this team.

It is very strict, and I know that when we apply as a team, they will give us dates in October or September, but now from there, we shall start petitioning,” Korir said.

He noted that while the process remains rigid, AK intends to pursue all available channels to secure earlier appointment dates for athletes and officials.

“The American embassy is a bit different, and they told us that even if we have a team, and we are going to the US, and the system does not allow us, we shall have to follow the system and petition to see whether we shall be given an earlier date,” he added.

The proactive approach comes after challenging experiences during previous international competitions, including the World Cross Country Championships held in Tallahassee, USA.

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During that period, several athletes from different countries faced last-minute approvals and rejections, with Ethiopia particularly affected after multiple visa denials limited its team participation.

Korir acknowledged the pressure such situations create for athletes and officials.

“We had a tough time during the World Cross Country Championships, but eventually everyone got their visa in the last minute, and we don’t want to go through that again,” he said.

To avoid similar setbacks, AK has revised its selection strategy for the U20 team. Unlike previous editions, the championships will not feature open entry selection. Instead, athletes will be carefully identified and invited based on performance at national championships and school competitions.

“Because of the past issues that have come up before, we are not going to have an open championship where anyone can come and compete.

We have already identified athletes who will be competing, and we are going to invite them, and the selection will be from the national championships from the primary and secondary schools,” Korir explained.

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He further emphasised that athletes must meet strict eligibility and performance criteria set in line with World Athletics regulations.

“The athletes need to be tested, and they have to meet other criteria, so we are not free to do as we wish as a country. We must check that we are competing within those limits,” he said.

The federation is also tightening its documentation and eligibility checks amid ongoing concerns over age manipulation cases. Investigations are still underway, with reports being prepared for submission to World Athletics.

“Lately, we have also had problems with age manipulation, and we are still doing that investigation concerning some of the athletes who might have cheated. We are still doing the reports to World Athletics,” Korir noted.

Beyond eligibility, AK is introducing stricter administrative controls during the trials at Nyayo National Stadium. Athletes will be required to personally collect their bib numbers, a measure aimed at improving accountability and identity verification.

“All the selected athletes will be accommodated after the trials for purposes of documentation. The athletes should collect their BIB numbers personally before the days of the event. If you send someone, you will not be allowed to compete,” he said.

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Selection for the final team will be based primarily on performance at the trials, with the first athlete across the line earning automatic selection, provided they meet the qualifying standards for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships. Additional slots will be determined by a selection panel.

“The first athlete to cross the finish line will be selected as long as they have met the qualifying standards for the World Athletics Under-20 qualifying standards. The other one will be based on the decision of the selection panel, and everything will be done transparently,” Korir said.