Zablon Ekwam and Wiseman Were had a remarkable day at the 2024 Kip Keino Classic, securing their spots at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Were dominated the 400m hurdles, setting a meeting record time of 48:57 seconds, comfortably surpassing the required Olympic Games qualification mark. He expressed confidence and hinted at a surprise for the event in Paris. Despite finishing fourth in the 400m category, Ekwam achieved a personal best time of 44:69, expressing his happiness and motivation at the prospect of participating in the Olympic Games.

Both athletes are set to compete in the 4x400m event in Nassau alongside other Kenyan team members for a chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The relay event is highly anticipated and is scheduled to take place between May 4 and May 5 as part of the qualification process for the Paris Olympic Games.

The 2024 Kip Keino Classic event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 20, and is expected to feature athletes like Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Letsile Tebogo, and Ferdinand Omanyala. Mary Moraa, the 2023 World 800-meter champion, expressed that she feels pressure to perform when competing in Kenya. In an interview on Spot On, she stated that the support of Kenyan fans motivates her to give her best performance in front of a local audience. She emphasized that the fans’ sacrifice to watch her compete serves as a source of pressure but also as a driving force to not let them down.

The 23-year-old athlete is confirmed as one of the star runners for the Kip Keino Classic at the Nyayo National Stadium. Kennedy Tanui, the deputy director of the event, has assured stakeholders that everything is on track for the upcoming event. He mentioned that the track and equipment are ready and that the final preparations, such as OB transmission and stadium markings, are underway. Tanui also expressed confidence in the stadium’s track, indicating that it is expected to facilitate record-breaking performances.

Overall, the anticipation is high for the Kip Keino Classic, and with the support of athletes like Mary Moraa, the event promises to be a thrilling and record-breaking showcase of talent.

Julius Yego, also known as “Mr. YouTube,” is a prominent name in the field of javelin in Kenya. His silver medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics showcased Kenya’s talent in field events, inspiring many aspiring athletes. Yego has consistently performed at the top level and will be a star attraction at the upcoming Kip Keino Classic, where he will be competing for the third consecutive year.

The competition, however, will be tough for Yego. He will face familiar opponents, including the 2016 Olympics champion Thomas Rohler, who will be making his debut at the Kip Keino Classic. Rohler, eager to overcome a disappointing 2023, sees this as a chance for redemption.

Another familiar adversary for Yego is Egyptian Abdelrahman Ihab, with whom he has competed on numerous occasions. Last year’s third-place finisher is determined to clinch the gold or at least the silver medal at this year’s event. Not to be overlooked is last year’s victor, Timothy Herman, who will be aiming for back-to-back wins in his fourth appearance on Kenyan soil.

With strong competitors like Rohler, Ihab, and Herman in the mix, the upcoming Kip Keino Classic promises to be an exciting and challenging event for Yego. Javelin, likely one of the first events on the program, will set the stage for a thrilling competition, providing the home crowd with an exhilarating start to the event.