The championships are moving to a strict invitation-only system as World Athletics clamps down heavily on age cheating.

📋 Breaking It Down

Strict visa rules for entering the United States of America (USA) and World Athletics' policies to crack down on age cheating have forced Kenya to hold its trials for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships earlier than usual.

Athletics Kenya (AK) has also changed its selection criteria. Rather than the first two athletes to cross the finish line being automatically selected, only the winner is guaranteed a place, with the second selection being made by a panel of selectors.

The trials are scheduled to take place from May 21 to 23 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

📌 What You Need to Know

The 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships will take place in Eugene, Oregon, USA, from August 2 to 9.

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Kenyan Hall of Famer Barnabas Korir, who is also Chairman of Youth Development Programme at Athletics Kenya, gestures in Nairobi on September 25, 2019.

Unlike before, when it was open to anyone who could prove their age with a passport, the three-day event will be strictly by invitation only.

Participants are required to collect their running bibs in person on Thursday. Barnaba Korir, AK's director for youth and development, said that the decision to bring the trials forward was strategically aimed at allowing ample time for athletes and officials to apply for American visas early.

“We also want to give the selected squad sufficient time to finalise their preparations,” said Korir. "All athletes must present original and authentic documentation to prove their age," said Korir.

📰 Source: Nation Africa