Africa’s athletics has received a major boost ahead of the 2023 season after the World Athletics gave Botswana the rights to host a Continental Tour event both in track and Cross Country.
Athletics Kenya youth development director Barnabas Korir lauded the move, stating that it will give more athletes a platform to showcase their talents.
“We are glad that Botswana will host Continental Tour Gold events in Cross Country and track, similar to the Memorial Agnes Tirop Cross Country and Kip Keino Classic respectively.
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“Having many races in the continent will give an opportunity to our athletes who will compete in Gaborone before coming to Nairobi,” stated Korir.
Korir spoke from Botswana’s capital Gaborone, where he was invited to help organizers prepare for the events.
The Botswana Golden Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2023 while the Kipkeino Classic is slated for May 6.
Africa has produced many athletes who have achieved incredible feats both at individual levels and while representing their countries of birth.
For example, in the 2022 World Athletics Championships that was staged in the United States, East African athletes dominated the middle and long distance races with Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopian athletes running away with most of the titles.
Moreover, at the just concluded BMW Berlin Marathon, African athletes registered a clean sweep in both the men’s and women’s category.
Three Kenyans and three Ethiopians clocked impressive times to sweep the podium place positions in both the women’s and men’s category.
Eliud Kipchoge set a new world record while Tigist Assefa ran the third fastest women’s marathon in the rich history of the event.
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