Kip Keino Classic: Maia McCoy fired up for 100m title defence in Nairobi

The defending champion admits her season has not started on the strongest note, but she remains confident she can rise when it matters most.

“Yes, the plan is to defend the title. I’m hoping to clock 11.02,” said McCoy, who won last year’s race in 11.21 during her debut in Nairobi at Ulinzi Sports Complex.

She lines up against a stacked American sprint squad headlined by three-time Olympic and world champion Gabby Thomas, alongside Cambrea Sturgis and Chante Clinckscale, with Kenya’s Millicent Ndoro also aiming to make a strong home statement.

Thomas arrives in Nairobi in red-hot form after a dominant showing at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, where she completed a sprint double.

She opened with a commanding 100m win in 11.13 seconds, ahead of Clinckscale (11.34) and Sturgis (11.36). McCoy finished fourth in 11.40.

For McCoy, however, the focus is not on the names in the next lane.

“I’ll just do me. I’ll just focus on my lane; I’ll just do what I’m supposed to do,” she said.

Her early-season races have not gone to plan, but she is refusing to panic.

“I had high expectations in the first two events I opened the season with but I was not super-fast. But again, I have resolved not to be too hard on myself because the season is still open. There is a lot to come, so I’m really excited for what’s ahead,” she said.

Beyond the track, McCoy is embracing her second visit to Kenya and her first trip to Addis Ababa, describing her experience in Africa as memorable.

“Kenya is an amazing nation. It has been good to me. Maybe after the event I will do the safari,” she said.