Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno have achieved qualification times for the Olympics in the men’s 100M race by running 10.02 Seconds and 10.05 seconds respectively ar the Kenyan National Olympics trials held at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday June 17.
Omanyala got off the blocks in blistering pace, Otieno up on his heels as they squared put in what will be one of the most memorable races ever seen at the Kasarani.
There were a few delays for the Grand final with three false starts threatening to dumpen the mood
Omanyala kept his nerves cruising to 10.02, Otieno coming in second in a time of 10.05 seconds.
"The false starts made it happen. I was planning for a sub-10 but that will come later. Worked the whole Covid-19 break without competition and it has finally paid off. We have been competing against each other in the races we have and it great that we have made it," Omanyala said.
His 'brother' Mark Otieno, running with borrowed spikes posted a personal best and ultimately the Olympics ticket that has been elusive for him.
"I have been fighting for this and it finally happened. In 2016, I missed this opportunity because of a calf injury, now I have a chance to prove myself on the big stage,"
"Mark Otieno: I am happy that the two of us have made it. It has been a long journey. God has come at the right time.
I have been looking for this since January. The false starts made me nervous but we cannot argue with technology. Ferdinand is good and we need such pressure," he said.
" I borrowed the shoes that I used today and I'm happy they worked for me. It's now some final touches ahead of the games," said Otieno.