Athletics Kenya Masters land in Sweden for World Championships

Twenty six athletes have already landed in Gothenburg, Sweden ahead of the 25^th edition of the 2024 World Masters Athletics Championships.

The Athletics Kenya Masters team has exuded confidence that they will when the championships commences on Tuesday August 13^th to August 25 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The team, comprising of 26 athletes and 8 officials landed safely in Gothenburg on Sunday evening, two days before the start of the scintillating competition that involves players who are aged 35 years and above from 111 countries across the globe.

Team captain Eric Sikuku who won two gold medals (5000m and 10,000m race-walk) in the 2018 edition held in Malaga, Spain says all the athletes are excited and confident of excelling in the championships.

“The team is fine, all the athletes are focused and they are aware of what is ahead of them. The good thing is that all these athletes have experience since they are the legends of the game and we hope to give a good show for our country. We understand that the competition will be stiff but we also up to the task based on the preparations that we have had back home in Nairobi,” Sikuku said after landing in Gothenburg.

Sikuku, 49, who represented Kenya in the 2010 African Athletics Champions in the 20KM Walk-Race in 2010 in Nairobi, also won two gold medals 3000m walk-race and 10KM walk-race in Poland during the World Masters Indoor Championships.

Head coach Elizabeth Olaba says the World Masters Championships are intriguing and the challenge ahead is would be similar to that of elite runners. The legendary coach says her team is in top shape for the big show in southern Sweden.

“The team has trained well, everybody is in good shape and I expect a great competition. This is a big championship and we have to give it the seriousness that it deserves. Despite that fact that the competition involves non-elite athletes, it is still something to look forward to since it is the legends of the sport taking part in it. I am hoping for the best from my players, they have shown the zeal in training.”

Kenya is making a return on the global scene after missing the previous edition in Tampere,Finland.

Athletics Kenya Masters Secretary General Rose Tata Muiya has expressed her gratefulness to the government of Kenya for funding the team to the Championships.

“We are happy to be back in this year’s World Masters Championships, ready to reclaim our title back after missing the 2022 edition, we are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for considering funding Athletics Kenya Masters overseas events and enabling us to register such a big team.’’ Tata said.

Athletics Kenya Masters Team for World Masters Championships in Sweden