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Ferdinand Omanyala will not compete in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, US, after failing to receive his visa on time.

Africa’s fastest man was among a handful of Kenyan athletes experiencing visa delays ahead of the World Championships which start on Friday, July 15, 2022.

Omanyala and several team officials publicly complained over delayed visas to the United States. The sprinter was still waiting for his visa by Thursday.

“Sadly, I won’t be participating in this year’s world championships in Oregon. I did not get my visa in time for travel,” Omanyala said in a statement via his spokesperson.

“We will redeem ourselves at the Budapest world championships next year. We also have the Commonwealth Games coming in two weeks’ time. Thanks for the support and prayers.”

Omanyala was to shine in Oregon

Africa’s fastest sprinter was included in the entry list for the 100m event at the World Athletics Championships.

Omanyala is the third fastest man in the world this season behind America’s Fred Kerley and Trayvon Jaquez Bromell.

The Kenyan sprinter has been on a record-setting streak this season. The 26-year-old won the African 100m title last month and was the first Kenyan to qualify for the Olympic 100m semi-finals in Tokyo last year.