World U20 Athletics: Kenya disqualified form Mixed Relay final

Kenya’s Mixed Relay team will not compete any further at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships despite finishing second in their heat (behind Nigeria) after the hosts were disqualified for lane infringement.

Elkanah Kiprotich had anchored Kenya to a powerful finish after an impressive run but there would be no hope of a medal for the host nation as the cameras spotted the infringement leaving Sylvia Chelangat, Loice Morara and Kennedy Kimeu all gutted for missing out the final they had been assured of.

Kenya is hosting the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at the Kasarani Stadium, just three years after successfully staging the World Junior Championships at the same venue.

The hosts will be hoping to make amends when they battle Ethiopia for supremacy in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, a new event introduced for the championships. The race will be run at 5.45pm (EAT).

Although Ethiopia seem to have a stronger hand on paper, with 19-year-old Tadese Worku already an established performer at senior level, Kenya’s charge led will be in the hands of  Benard Kibet Yegon and Daniel Kinyanjui, who should be motivated by the home advantage to mount a strong challenge