Javeline thrower Kiprotich dejected after missing out on Olympic spot

African Games javelin bronze medallist Alex Kiprotich has expressed his disappointment after missing out on Team Kenya for this year’s Africa Senior Athletics Championship which runs from June 21 to 26, 2024 in Douala, Cameroon.

Kiptrotich, 29, was left out after he finished third behind Julius Yego (76.42), Methuselah Kiprop (73.56) and Duncan Kinyanjui (72.64) during the just concluded Athletics Kenya trials at Nyayo Stadium.

This means his dream to participate in next month’s Paris Olympics has also been dashed, as the Africa Senior Championships is being used as the final phase of qualification by athletes who are yet to bag the Games slots.

"I have been winning in Javelin competitions since 2013 when I won a gold medal in Mauritius, in 2015 I won a bronze medal in South Africa and in 2019 I won a silver medal. This year I expected to qualify for the Olympics but I had challenges which made me unable to."

Kiprotich's disappointment is palpable as he had trained rigorously and was eager to showcase his talent on the continental stage.

Despite this, he remains determined to continue working hard and to seize future opportunities to represent his country and excel in his sport.

"However, I do not give up and I promise that I will return to practice soon but I must admit that these results have affected me mentally but I have to accept it because it is not the end of life. Now I focus on preparing for the next season and see how it will be where there will be the World Championships next year which is very important for me."

AK named a final team of 26 women and 33 men to represent Kenya at the 23rd edition of Africa Senior Athletics Championships.

The team is led by Stephen Etyan, AK Chairman of the National Police Service and national head coach Julius Kirwa.