Julius Yego, Kenya’s 2016 Olympics silver medalist has renounced his captainship of the Kenyan team ahead of 2021 Tokyo’s olympics set to begin this month.
In a statement he shared on his Facebook page on Monday, July 5, the javelin thrower attributed the environment within Athletics Kenya as the reason behind his decision to step down from the position of captain.
“Hello my fans I want to take this opportunity to say that I will disappoint you and renounce my captaincy for athletics team Kenya in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics,” Yego said,
“The environment isn’t favorable for me to lead this team. I am sorry to disappoint them for not being able to continue to lead,”he added.
Yego also revealed that those in the Olympics preparation committee know the reason why he quit his role as captain.
“I will remain a active member of the team and will help where need be.
We will choose a new captain in due course but Eunice sum will lead us until we elect a new captain,” he said.
Yego’s recent announcement comes after 400m hurdles athlete Mpoke Moitale said he will miss the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Like Yego, Mpoke made the announcement yesterday on social media after he failed to meet requirements set by World Athletics.
"I am so sorry that i can't compete at Tokyo Olympics 2021 even though I have been preparing well despite all the challenges I went through towards the event and meeting qualifying Olympic standards," Mpoke said.
World Athletics and World Anti-Doping Agency requires all athletes hoping to participate in major athletics championships to go for anti doping tests three weeks apart within 10 months period and three weeks to the championships.
According to Mpoke, the hurdler claims he went through the three tests as required by athletics Kenya.
"Nobody came because I was at my house preparing for my final examinations and didn't receive any call at all," the hurdler said.
"I'm very disappointed but hopefully I will see you all next season," he added.
