
Javelin star Julius Yego urges government to reopen stadiums for Olympic Qualifiers
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 14.05.24. | 16:49
The Olympic silver medalist (2016) is chasing his fourth appearance at the Games
Former javelin World champion Julius Yego has called on the government to consider opening both Kasarani and Nyayo for athletes chasing Olympic Qualifying times.
Both Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums have been closed (the latter having been scheduled to close after the Mashemeji Derby on 21 April) for renovations in preparation for the 2027 AFCON, and Yego worries that some athletes could miss out.
“The timing and eventual closure of the only remaining World Athletics ratified stadium Nyayo stadium for athletics competition in the country by #sports Kenya is a big loss to the athletics fraternity and more so the Olympic hopefuls amongst us athletes (sic),” he lamented in a post on his social media handles.
Chasing a fourth appearance at the Summer Games, Yego questioned what should take precedence, Olympics qualification or the renovations.
Yego has called on the Sports ministry to consider allowing athletes time to chase their dreams, arguing that many who have the potential to qualify will be forced to do so outside the country.
His sentiments come a day after Athletics Kenya (AK) postponed the national Championship trials for the Africa Senior Athletics Championship, scheduled for 16-18 May at Nyayo to 21-22 May at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, a facility that does not meet the World Athletics stipulated standards.
Yego launched his bid for a slot in Paris at the African Games in Accra, where he threw 81.74m to finish second, missing the qualification mark set at 85.50m by 3.74m. He was at it again at the Kip Keino Classic where he placed ninth in 72.25m.
The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist made his third attempt at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar, where he came short, finishing eighth with a throw of 78.37m.
Yego, who made his debut at the 2012 London Olympics finishing 12th, bagged silver at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and failed to qualify for the Final in Tokyo, has until 30 June to make cut.












