Have you ever wondered why many Kenya-born runners are representing other countries at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA?
In the last few years, several Kenyan athletes have switched their allegiance to other nations. Lonah Salpeter, who bagged a silver medal in women’s marathon in Eugene is among Kenyan elite athletes who decided to compete for other countries for various reasons.
A few years ago, Ruth Jebet earned Bahrain its first ever gold in an Olympic competition. After her historic achievement, she was incorporated in Bahrain’s hall of fame.
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However, these athletes do not just wake up and decide to run for Kenya's arch-rivals. They have to meet various conditions in order to be eligible to represent other federations.
According to the eligibility rules released by the World Athletics on March 10, 2022, runners are allowed to change their nationality if they have resided in a foreign nation for a period not less than 3 years, have a parent or grandparent living in the country that they wish to represent or if they have been granted asylum or refugee status.
Under rule 4.4.1, Athletes like Yavi and Salpeter can become eligible to represent Kenya in future international competitions only if the nations that they represent fail to have a national Olympic committee, or if the country ceases to exist.
"If the Territory of a Member does not have a national Olympic Committee or other relevant body authorized to enter teams in other relevant competitions, the athlete may compete for the territory’s parent country in other relevant competitions without affecting their eligibility to compete for the member representing that territory in national representative competitions" read a statement from the World Athletics.
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Bahrain, Qatar, the United States and Turkey are some of the countries that have won the hearts of many Kenyan athletes.
More than 10 Kenyan runners including 3,000m steeplechase fast-rising star Winfred Mutile Yavi, Rose Chelimo, Eunice Kirwa, Miriam Jeptoo and John Koech opted to run for Bahrain..
Former 5,000m champion Benard Lagat, Jonah Koech, Hillary Bor, and Marius Kimutai are other athletes who were previously adopted by foreign nations.
Some of the reasons that make Kenyan athletes change their nationality are the presence of stiff competition in Kenya, lack of quality training facilities, and lack of motivation in terms of bonuses and welfare.
In a recent interview with Fair Planet.org, Miriam Jeptoo who changed her name to Alia Basma revealed that she decided to run for Bahrain because of lack of opportunities.
“There are so many talented Kenyans, some who are way better than me. That means that to even make it to the national competitions where one at least stands a chance of winning and getting picked to represent the country in international competitions is very slim,” she stated.
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