After two weeks of glamour at the Tokyo Olympic Games, focus has now shifted to Nairobi, Kenya, venue of the 2021 World Athletics U-20 Championships.
The World Athletics U-20 Championships have been awarded to an African country for the first time.
Over 1,300 athletes from 128 countries are expected to compete in Kenya this August. The competition has found many great stars from various nations over the years, as young Gen Z athletes compete on the world stage often for the very first time.
It was originally meant to run from August 17th to 22nd, but has now been pushed back by a day to start from the 18th.
Part of the statement from World Athletics read, ‘the impact of Covid on teams travelling and logistics of moving vital equipment around the world have proven to be a challenge.’
Due to a recent surge in Covid-19 infections, some major countries like the UK and US have withdrawn from the championships for safety reasons.
The event will be held behind closed doors and spectator-free to keep the athletes and the country safe.
To control the spread of the virus, local organizers have built two ‘bubbles’ in Kasarani and Nyayo. Ten hotel bubbles for teams, officials, and suppliers will also be used.
According to reports, the projected number of Covid tests for this coming event is more than 15,000.
Many of the protocols being introduced for these championships have already been successful at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia last year and the World Athletics Relays in Silesia in May.
Opportunities for the future athletic stars in the world
The World Athletics U-20 Championships brings opportunities to showcase the very best of the world’s talented young athletes.
In the past, few African countries have participated, making this year a significant boost for nations that usually miss out on the spotlight.
Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said, ‘such events elevate the importance of sports to young talented sportsmen and women.’
She added, ‘games bring people together; they bring hope since they are a symbol of what can be achieved even in the most difficult situations and encourage youths to represent their countries in honor.’ The Kenyan First Lady is also the patron of this year’s event.
World Athletics having confirmed that athletes need to be born between 2002 and 2005. If that sends you into an existential crisis about your own achievements thus far in life, you’re not alone.
During the last edition held in Tampere, Finland in 2018, Kenya bagged a total of 11 medals, making it Africa’s current athletics powerhouse from junior to senior category championships.
African participating countries have shown confidence in their athletes and most countries have increased the number of athletes representing their nations recently. We’ll have to see if it pays off.
I’m Derrick (He/Him), a Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya. Currently I write about trending topics and major issues affecting Africa for Thred, specifically concerning SDGs. View my Twitter here if you’d like to send me feedback.
Mattel’s new doll has Type 1 diabetes, marking another inclusive step for the brand. But response to the launch highlights a persistent lack of education around the disease – and the need to dismantle stigma.
Mattel’s latest addition to its Barbie lineup, a doll with Type 1 diabetes, might seem like a small plastic step. But its release has quickly become a barometer for public understanding – or misunderstanding – of chronic illness.
Unveiled...
A leaked email shows the budget airline has been rewarding staff for catching oversized luggage.
We all have a love/hate relationship with budget airlines. From Ryanair to easyJet, these low-cost alternatives to pricey air-travel have saved more of my girls' holidays than I can count on one hand. But they’ve also ruined plenty of trips.
Whether it’s hidden costs or poor customer service, there have been plenty of occasions when –...
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which represents a fundamental element of American soft power and is one of the most consequential development agencies in the world, is closing its doors.
While curtains never truly ‘fall’, there are flagging budget cuts, evolving US foreign policy objectives, and a rising tide of domestic investment that are all signaling a slow but inevitable decline. For Africa, it is the end...
I spoke with Ebru Baybara Demir, an award-winning social gastronomy chef from Türkiye, about how gastronomy can impact communities, people, and the environment.
Ebru Baybara Demir has been a driving force behind the transformation of a small city in eastern Türkiye: Mardin.
Like the butterfly effect, her dream of turning Mardin into a tourist destination led to change. Many local women, some of whom had no access to formal education, joined...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.