Kenyan sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala has revealed that his passport and VISA are ready, stating that he hoped to compete in the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Speaking to a local daily on Thursday, July 14, Omanyala said his travel documents are ready after he failed to get them in time for his departure to the games.
“I have been called to go and pick up the passport, that my visa is ready. This is a huge relief. Now my hope is that I will be in Oregon before the race starts, my race is scheduled around 4 am Kenyan time, that’s Saturday morning,” Omanyala said.
In a Thursday, July 14 statement, World Athletics said they are closely working with the USA Olympic and Paralympic Committee to ensure the stranded athletes and officials acquire VISAs and travel for the games that begin on Friday, July 15 in Oregon.
“The Oregon 22 organising committee and World Athletics are working closely with the USOPC to follow up on Visa applications, the majority of which have been successfully resolved. We continue to follow up with those outstanding visa issues. International travel, in general, has become more challenging due to the pandemic and we are extremely grateful for the help and experience of the USOPC in helping to resolve issues that have come up in the last few weeks.,” World Athletics said in a statement.
Apart from Omanyala whose event starts tomorrow in Oregon, 10,000 metres athlete Sheila Chepkirui and other officials of Athletics Kenya had also not received their VISAs.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei, AK deputy president Jinaro Kibet, AK chief administrative officer Susan Kamau and AK treasurer David Miano had not been called for interviews by the United States Embassy in Nairobi.
