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Olympic 100 Metres champion Marcell Jacobs will debut in the outdoor season on Saturday in the third edition of the Kipkeino Classic at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani.

The newly crowned world indoor 60 Metres champion is the latest entrant for the Gold stage of the World Athletics Continental Tour 2022 that will mark its third and final season.

Jacobs will return to the distance that made him Olympic champion in the specialty nine months and six days after the feat in Tokyo.

Kipkeino Classic Director Barnaba Korir said the high altitude Nairobi weather might be a reason behind the high interest of top sprinters for Kipkeino Classic.

“Last year, we all saw what happened. Our own Ferdinand Omanyala set a new national and African record. If what we experienced is anything to go by then, we can even expect something better,” Korir said.

He will be up against home darling Omanyala and Fred Kerley, the American who won silver in the 100 games.

Olympic champions

Others are Tortu Filippo, Mike Rodgers, Gift Tlotliso Leotlela of South Africa, Isiah Young and Dambile Sinesipho of South Africa.

Korir, during a presser on Sunday in Nairobi, said all the nine lanes will be occupied on Saturday.

“You will not a see a stellar field like this even in the diamond league.

“That is the kind of interest we have received for our third edition of the event,” Korir said.

Another Olympic champion who has been confirmed for the one-day event is hammer throw champion Anita Włodarczyk of Poland.

Włodarczyk, the only woman to win three consecutive Olympic titles, will be making her maiden appearance.

Also confirmed is Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda who will take on defending champion Kenya’s Celliphine Chespol.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the greatest sprinters of all time, will star in the 100m race together with Olympic silver medalist Christine Mboma among other athletes.