A wave of discontent has swept through the Kenyan athletics community following Athletics Kenya’s (AK) decision to host trials for the men’s 10,000 metres and women’s 5,000 metres at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. The prestigious meet, slated for July 5, will serve as the official qualifying event for the 2025 World Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in Tokyo this September.
The announcement has not gone down well with many athletes, who argue that the decision was poorly communicated and lacks transparency. Criticism has been mounting, particularly because the trials were not included in AK’s official calendar of events released last year. Many athletes only learned of the change after it was made public, sparking confusion and frustration in training camps and online forums across the country.
Athletes are particularly upset about the abrupt nature of the announcement. Many feel that a decision of such magnitude should have involved consultation with key stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and management. They argue that this last-minute communication does not allow adequate preparation or planning, especially for those who do not have the logistical support or means to travel overseas at short notice.
The discontent is especially pronounced among younger and emerging athletes. Many of them view the Prefontaine Classic selection as favouring established runners who are more likely to have U.S. visas and international sponsorships. This, they argue, creates an uneven playing field and significantly diminishes the chances for upcoming talent to showcase their abilities on a global platform.
There is also confusion as to why only the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m races are being held overseas. Earlier communications had suggested that the men’s 5,000m and women’s 10,000m would also be contested, leading to further speculation about the criteria used in making the final decision. Athletes are demanding clarity on how these choices were made and why other events were excluded from the Prefontaine program.
In response to the criticism, AK maintains that the Prefontaine Classic provides a better platform for fast times than Nairobi’s high-altitude environment. According to the federation, past experience supports this strategy, as several athletes achieved qualifying times at last year’s meet in Eugene. The federation argues that the benefits of racing at sea level especially for longer distances can significantly improve an athlete’s chances of meeting the World Championships standards.
AK has also acknowledged past logistical challenges, such as visa delays, which hindered participation in previous overseas events. However, officials insist that these issues have been addressed ahead of this year’s trials. They have assured athletes that arrangements are in place to ensure smooth travel and participation for those selected to compete in Eugene.
Meanwhile, the national trials for other track and field events will take place on August 1–2 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi. Despite this, pressure continues to mount on AK to revisit its strategy and ensure a more inclusive and transparent selection process for all athletes aiming to represent Kenya on the global stage.
With less than three months to go before the Tokyo World Championships, athletes and fans alike are watching closely to see whether AK will stick to its decision or make adjustments to accommodate the growing calls for fairness and inclusivity in team selection.
