Why Gabby Thomas will not race her favorite 200m at Kip Keino Classic

Olympic champion Gabby Thomas will not feature in her trademark 200m race at this year’s Kip Keino Classic; instead, she is opting for a bold switch to the 400m in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the Nairobi meet.

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The American sprint star, who clinched 200m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will step out of her comfort zone to compete over one lap, where she is set to face Kenya’s in-form quarter-miler Mercy Oketch.

Kip Keino Classic meet director Barnaba Korir confirmed the surprising development, revealing that the women’s 200m will not be part of the program.

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“We will not be having the women’s 200m. Gabby Thomas will not be running in her speciality; she will be running the 400m,” Korir said.

Korir went on to explain the importance of securing an athlete of Thomas’ stature, noting that her presence alone significantly boosts the profile of the showpiece.

“She is one of the best female athletes who will be attending the Kip Keino Classic. It is very important that she is there to enhance the event itself,” he added.

The 29-year-old heads into the 2026 season in impressive form, having opened her campaign with a commanding 11.00-second victory at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on Saturday, 4 April.

Her African tour will also include stops at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix on Saturday, 18 April, and the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on Sunday, 26 April.

Standing in her way will be Oketch, who has been in scintillating form this season. The Kenyan recently shattered the national indoor 400m record at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, clocking an impressive 51.25 seconds to show her growing dominance over the distance.

Thomas’ return to competition comes after a challenging 2025 campaign, during which she was forced to withdraw from the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 due to a persistent Achilles tendon injury.

Despite qualifying with a third-place finish at the US Outdoor Championships, she opted to prioritise her long-term health following a demanding Olympic cycle.

Her absence at the global showpiece opened the door for Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to claim victory, while Amy Hunt secured second place.

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Now fully fit, Thomas will be eager to make a strong statement on African soil.

This year’s Kip Keino Classic will also usher in a historic first, with the event set to be staged under floodlights, a move expected to elevate the fan experience and add a new spectacle to the meet.

Organisers have also moved to reassure fans over safety, confirming enhanced security measures in collaboration with national and county agencies.

“We are assuring the fans that there will be proper security. Athletics Kenya has had meetings with the police, as well as the county security teams and the National Youth Service,” Korir noted.