This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
Kenyan athletes have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of the country's airspace, and their wait is finally over. On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the Kenyan airspace will be open for international flights beginning August 1.
The airspace has been closed since April, when the government announced containment measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure had a significant impact on the country's athletes, who were unable to compete in international events.
However, with the announcement that the airports will be reopened under strict conditions, there is renewed hope for athletes who were planning to compete in the re-organized international athletics calendar. The calendar is set to kick off on August 4 with the Monaco leg of the Diamond League, and athletes such as Elijah Manangoi and Timothy Cheruiyot have already confirmed their participation.
Meanwhile, the news of the airport reopening is a huge relief for organizers of the World Athletics Continental Tour, which has been scheduled for September 26. This might also be a sign that the World Under-20 Championship might be rescheduled for 2021.
However, hopes of sportsmen and women returning to the pitch soon have been quashed with the President announcing a further 30-day ban on social and public gatherings. The Ministry of Sport has set up a team to explore the possibilities and guidelines for sports to resume in the country.
