On Omanyala, debate, we can do much better

The Ferdinand Omanyala visa debacle has sparked much speculation. On social media, the narrative is that joyriders edged out the star sprinter. They were sneaked into the list, leaving out Omanyala and other critical Athletics Kenya officials. Eventually, Omanyala did get a visa and was able to travel to Oregon to participate in the World Athletics Championships, arriving only a few hours before the start of his first heat.

He qualified for the semifinals but finished fifth in the heat, thus missing a spot in the finals. It was a brave performance given the circumstances. He did not have the time to acclimatise, work out, relax and psychologically prime himself.