Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo has blamed Athletics Kenya after missing out on a slot to take part in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Ebenyo tripped and fell during the Prefontaine Diamond League Olympic trials for Kenya, and even before taking part in the event, the silver medallist said he faced a number of administrative challenges even before running.

“Matarijio yangu ilikuwa ni kufuzu katika mashindano ya Olimpiki na I hope kila kitu ilikuwa sawa hadi the last minute. Last minute, haikuwa sawa kwa sababu ilikuwa na vitu vingi.

“Kulikuwa na vitu vingi, kukosa visa, kufika kwa trials ilikuwa late na sikuwa na time ya ku recover vizuri. Nilifika jioni alafu the following day, kulikuwa na hio trials,” Ebenyo told K24 TV in an interview on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

After missing out on an Olympic slot, Ebenyo begged AK to consider giving him a position on the Olympic team, and up until now, he says he has not received any response.

“Athletics Kenya hawakuniambia chochote actually mpaka sasa hakuna mtu kutoka AK amewahi kuniongelesha. Sijawahi jua hata response waliamua nini, but yote tunawachia mungu,” he added.

However, AK defended itself and said the travel was organized not only by themselves but also by the organizers of the meeting in the US, Prefontaine Classic. I also said the funding in that scenario was done by Nike as the sponsor of AK. 

On Ebenyo’s fall in Eugene, AK said that it was unfortunate, and when one is competing, such things happen.

“But the analysts from the technical bench also had to see what caused the accident: was it intentional, was he tripped by someone else, or who was the cause?

“It was found out that it was a mere incident that occurred, and Ebenyo could not blame anybody for that fall,” AK said.

Kogo’s take

Ebenyo’s coach, Erick Kogo, also laid blame on AK, saying the athletics body had promised to consider the runner and put him on the Olympic list.

“Walikuwa wamesema pia atawekwa kwa timu hata asipopata visa ya kwenda. AK walikuwa wamesema wataweka Simiu lakini mwisho, baada ya kuanguka pia hakuna mtu alimconsider tena.

“AK wange consider kwamba athlete alipitia challenge. Wangekuwa na utu kusema mkimbiaji aliumia baada ya ku struggle na hata baada ya kuanguka hakuna mtu aliconsider,” Kogo told K24 TV.

Kogo said he was heartbroken after it became apparently clear that his student would not feature in the Paris global bonanza.

“Mimi kama coach ningesema kwamba panel haikufanya kitu mzuri. Kuanguka kwa Simiu niliumia kwa roho sana na sikusikia kama niko sawa.

“Hii ni kwa sababu mazoezi na kazi yote tulikuwa tumefanya ni ya kutosha. Simiu pia alisumbuliwa sana na mamo ya kusafiri,” Kogo added.

Meanwhile, Ebenyo is expected to debut in the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024, two months after the Olympic Games.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p2z