Top International Athletes Gather in Nairobi for 5th KipKeino Classic

The 5th KipKeino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, is set to take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. The event will feature some of the world's finest track and field athletes from 45 countries, including Olympic, world, Commonwealth, Diamond League, and national champions.

The highlight of the day will be the men's 100m race, which will pit Commonwealth Games and Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala against the 2020 Olympic and world 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek from the USA. Omanyala is going for his third successive gold at the KipKeino Classic, while Bednarek is seeking his first victory. Bednarek expressed confidence before the race, despite not having the year he wanted in 2023.

Other notable events include the women's 800m with the reigning world champion Mary Moraa, the men's 800m with world champions and medalists, and the return of Olympic 200m silver medalist Christine Mboma in the women's 100m. Mboma, who was sidelined due to eligibility rules for athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), is making a strong comeback to the track at this event.

The men's 200m event will also be a highlight, with African champion Letsile 'Schoolboy' Tebogo of Botswana making his debut and promising to 'teach the big boys a lesson.' Double world medalist Tebogo secured 100m silver and 200m bronze at the World Championships last year and has had a great beginning to 2023.

The event will also feature world-class field athletes, including the 2016 Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler, the 2020 Olympic hammer champion Wojciech Nowicki, and the reigning world hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg. Nowicki is eager to defend his title at the event as he prepares for the Paris Olympics, returning to Kenya for the 4th time.

Why this matters: The KipKeino Classic serves as an important platform for athletes to showcase their form and compete against top-level competition in the buildup to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The event, which pays tribute to the legendary Kenyan runner Kipchoge Keino, offers substantial prize money and crucial ranking points for the athletes.

The day's program includes 22 events starting

Key Takeaways

• 5th KipKeino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, set for April 20, 2024.
• Omanyala vs. Bednarek in men's 100m, Mboma's comeback in women's 100m, Tebogo's debut in 200m.
• World-class field events featuring Rohler, Nowicki, and Katzberg.
• Event offers prize money and ranking points for athletes ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics.
• 22 events scheduled for the day, featuring top athletes from 45 countries.