Kenyan sprint star to miss worlds over US visa delay

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala said Thursday he will miss the World Athletics Championships in the United States because of a delay in securing a visa.

The Kenyan sprinter had been hoping to shine in the 100m at the championships that open on Friday in Eugene, Oregon.

"I have given up my trip to Oregon. Even if I am given a visa today it's too late," a bitterly disappointed Omanyala said.

He had been due to compete in the 100m heats on Friday, but lost a race against time to secure his US visa and travel to Oregon－a trip of about 24 hours or more.

"It would mean booking flights which can only be possible at night and the race is on tomorrow. It's not possible," he said. "There's nothing I can do. It's been my longest day of waiting and I don't like waiting."

The Kenyan teams had been due to leave for the United States in two batches on Monday and Tuesday, but several members including Omanyala did not yet receive visas.

There was no immediate comment from Athletics Kenya, and the reasons for the visa hitch are not known.

Reports have emerged of athletes from other countries facing issues obtaining US visas, although Omanyala is the highest-profile.

Championship organizers Oregon22 and World Athletics had said that they were working to follow up on visa applications "the majority of which have been successfully resolved".

"We continue to follow up with those outstanding visa issues," they said, noting that international travel had become more challenging due to the pandemic.

Omanyala is the third-quickest man in the world this season behind Americans Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell, clocking 9.85 seconds in May.

In September last year, the 26-year-old ran an African record of 9.77, making him the ninth-fastest man ever, behind four Americans and three Jamaicans.

"I have accepted the situation and will now focus on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham," said Omanyala, referring to an international meet in the English city that runs from July 28 to Aug 8.

In the meantime, he said: "I will sit back and watch the race in Oregon and enjoy it. I hope I will be better when the next world championships come round in Budapest in 2023."

AFP