Kenya's U20 stars eye world glory as Korir maps long-term Olympic vision

Kenya's campaign at the 21st World Athletics Under-20 Championships gets underway tonight in Eugene, Oregon, with Athletics Kenya already looking beyond the medals on offer and focusing on building the country's next generation of global champions.

The five-day championships, running from August 5 to 9, will see Kenya represented by 23 athletes—12 boys and 11 girls—who will be hoping to better the country's seven-medal haul from the previous edition, where Kenya finished fifth overall with three gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

For Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir, however, the championships are about much more than immediate success.

He views the event as the first major step in a carefully planned pathway designed to prepare the young athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, with the ultimate target being the 2032 Olympics, where he believes many of them will reach their prime.

“This is a very young team and I'm confident one or two will break into the senior World Championship team. But our bigger objective is to have as many of them as possible ready for the 2028 Olympics, and the main one in 2032 where they will make a very big impression. 2028 is their startup and 2032 is the year that they can actually be the champions they want to be. But in between they need to have a plan so that they can grow towards becoming the champions in future,” said Korir.

The Athletics Kenya official says the mood within the camp has given him confidence that the team is ready to compete on the global stage. While acknowledging that medals would be welcome, he insists the experience gained in Oregon will be equally valuable in shaping future elite athletes.

“I'm really excited about the athletes after a candid discussion with them and the confidence they have shown. The coaches are also happy about the training program that they have had towards this competition. The athletes are also excited and have assured us that they are going to do their best.” Added Korir,” he added.

Kenya heads to Oregon hoping to maintain its rich tradition at the World Under-20 Championships, while laying the foundation for a new generation of athletes capable of carrying the country's distance-running legacy well into the next Olympic cycle.