This archive report was first published on 15 July 2021.
On July 15, 2021, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed announced that the World Athletics Under-20 championships, set to take place at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Center Kasarani from August 17-22, would be held behind closed doors.
The decision was made after inspecting the tartan track at the Kenyatta University, where engineers from Spanish-based Mondo Track and Field had laid a new synthetic track the previous week.
According to CS Amina, the event would be spectator-free unless the situation improved and the World Athletics gave the green light. She noted that major events like the Olympics were often held without spectators, and that screens would be set up in Nairobi and across the country for fans to follow the games.
CS Amina expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the tartan track, assuring that it would be ready in time to host the athletes. She also stated that the track met international standards and that any records broken during the event would be ratified by the World Athletics.
The Kenyatta University vice chancellor, Professor Paul Wainaina, praised the facility as one of President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy projects, which would have a significant impact on the university.
Professor Wainaina expressed hope that the remaining elements of the project, including the addition of two lanes to the track, would be completed on time.
CS Amina emphasized that the country was ready to welcome over 120 countries to Nairobi for the global track and field event, and that plans were underway to set up huge screens in the capital and other parts of the country for fans to follow the proceedings.
