This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On July 16, 2019, Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei outlined the federation's plans for the national athletics championships, which will also serve as trials for the World Championships.
The trials, scheduled for August 20-22 at the Nyayo National Stadium, will require athletes to meet both qualifying standards and anti-doping requirements. According to Tuwei, athletes must have undertaken at least three mandatory tests prior to the championships.
"We have two qualification systems: one based on qualifying standards and the other on anti-doping requirements," Tuwei explained. "Athletes must have undertaken at least three tests heading to the championships. We urge athletes to take this seriously and cooperate accordingly."
The anti-doping mechanism is a mandatory requirement from the world athletics governing body IAAF and Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for countries on category 'A' - countries with high prevalence of doping. As of the announcement, 84 athletes were still under the radar of the Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and AIU.
Additionally, the federation has made changes to its calendar, moving the trials dates to August 20-22. The use of wild cards will be limited to defending champions and Diamond League winners. Three guest teams - the National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the Refugee team - will also participate in the event.
"We will not allow individual athletes to participate," Tuwei stated. "All athletes must represent AK affiliates, including disciplined forces, institutions, and regions." The quota system will also remain in place to manage the number of participants.
The World Championships are scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from September 28 to October 6.
