Reigning world 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslas Kipruto, commonwealth Games 5,000m world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech have been allowed to travel to Europe ahead of the Monaco Diamond League.
The series opener following the coronavirus pandemic will take place on 14th August at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco.
The athletes were not sure if they will be allowed to travel after the embassies had said that Kenya was not among the countries that had been allowed to travel to Monaco due to coronavirus pandemic.
Athletics Kenya has been at the forefront to engage and request the embassy to grant the athlete visas to travel spent many days negotiating on behalf of them.
“We even engaged the CS for Sports Ambassador Amina Mohammed to try and push for the release of the visa,” said Ak president Gen (rtd) Jackson Tuwei.
“We are happy that the athletes will travel this coming Monday at 3:00am in the morning for the race. All athletes will be required to take the COVID-19 test 72 hours before travel,” Tuwei said.
Seven athletes have been issued with the visa and six more will be heading to the embassy today (Wednesday) to book for the same, then Friday all athletes will be required to take the mandatory COVID-19 test after which they will be issued with certificate which they will present to government officials in Monaco upon arrival, the AK president conclude.
The trio will be joined by World 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and World 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot.
Chepkoech will not be running her usual specialty race of 3000m steeplechase but will be lining up in the 5000m together with the World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri.
Source: Athletics.co.ke