Premium
2026 Kip Keino Classic: Kenya hosts Olympic and world champions at Nyayo National Stadium
Ferdinand Omanyala reacts after finishing a men's 100m race during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games at Stade de France on August 03, 2024.
Reigning world and Olympic champions are among 200 athletes who will compete in the seventh edition of Kip Keino Classic, the Kenyan round of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, April 24, 2026.
As the only gold label meeting in Africa, the Kip Keino Classic is expected to yield world-class performances and intense competition. This year, the competition has added something new to enhance the fan experience; it will be held under floodlights, using wavelight technology.
Beyond the quest for medals and prize money, the event comes at a crucial point in the athletics season. For many athletes, it serves as a key build-up competition ahead of the Diamond League meetings, and also offers athletes an opportunity to position themselves for the 2026 Commonwealth Games planned for August.
The track and field championship, featuring 26 events, will be like no other, with the core events taking place in the evening under floodlights.
Wavelight technology will be used for the first time, and with a newly laid tartan track, said to be fast, meet records could fall. Gates open at midday, and entrance is free of charge.
Here are some of the stand-out athletes expected to light up the event:
Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi celebrates after winning gold in the men's 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 20, 2025.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi:
Emmanuel Wanyonyi returns to the Kip Keino Classic for the fourth time, but with a fresh challenge on his mind. The reigning world and Olympics 800m champion will step up to the 1,500m, signalling a bold shift in his racing strategy. Wanyonyi’s long-term plan is to broaden the range of events he can compete in and build endurance as he gradually transitions to the longer distances. With his trademark run and tactical awareness, he is keen to test himself in front of his home fans. His aim is to evolve into a versatile middle-distance runner, with the 2028 Summer Olympics in mind.
Gold medallist Kenya's Lilian Odira celebrates with her national flag after winning the Women's 800m Final.
Lilian Odira
Reigning world 800m champion Lilian Odira launched her push towards the global stage at the 2025 Kip Keino Classic, where she delivered a stand-out performance to win.
That victory marked a turning point in her career, setting the tone for her rise in the women’s 800m. She returns to the same stage today with confidence and purpose, aiming not only to defend her title but also to improve her time against a competitive field.
Last year, she won in 1:58.31 ahead of Botswana’s Oratile Nowe (1:58.47) and Kenya’s Sarah Moraa (1:58.96).
With experience, momentum, and the backing of the home crowd, Odira will be looking to build on last year’s success as she continues her quest for a place at the Commonwealth Games.
April 4, 2026: Gabby Thomas (3851) with New Balance competing in the WomenÕs 100 Meter Dash Invitational at the 98th running of The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Austin, Texas.
Gabby Thomas
Fresh from an impressive outing at the April 15 Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Ethiopia, American Gabby Thomas will compete in both the 100m and 200m, as she aims to use the Nairobi meet to test her speed and form early in the season.
Thomas noted that doubling in the sprints will help her fine-tune her performance ahead of the Diamond League season. She said that her connection with fans pushes her to do well, and she is sure to enjoy the company of fans at the Nyayo National Stadium.
With a personal best time of 21.60 seconds over 200m, she is the fourth fastest athlete of all time over the distance. Her speed, smooth running style, and strong finishing kick have made her a regular podium finisher in the Diamond League, competing consistently against the world’s best.
Beyond medals, Thomas is admired for her versatility, often competing in both the 100m and 200m, as well as relays, making her one of the most complete sprinters in modern athletics.
Julius Yego of Kenya Police competes in the javelin throw during Athletics Kenya nationals championship on June 27, 2025 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Julius Yego
The 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego is a fan favourite.
“YouTube Man,” as he is famously known, has revolutionised javelin throwing in Kenya and remains one of the country’s most decorated field athletes.
A former world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Yego also made history as the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in a world championship in a field event.
He holds multiple African titles and returns to the Kip Keino Classic with renewed determination, aiming to improve on his fifth-place finish from last year.
Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala reacts after completing a men's 100m race the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 13, 2025.
Ferdinand Omanyala
Fresh from running the 100m race under 10 seconds for the first time in a year at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix in Ethiopia on April 15, Ferdinand Omanyala returns to home soil with confidence.
Africa’s fastest man is targeting another sub-10-second run, a mark that would reaffirm his status among the world’s fastest sprinters this season.
Omanyala has shown encouraging form in recent races and believes the highly competitive field in Nairobi will provide the perfect test as he builds momentum for the season.
From the Kip Keino Classic, he will compete in the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, before turning his attention to the Diamond League series as he continues his build-up to his defence of the Commonwealth Games 100m title.
Last year, he finished third after clocking 10.07 in a race won by Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy (9.98) with South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza second in 10.03.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
