Mark Otieno makes comeback to Kenyan team for World Relays alongside Omanyala
8th April 2024
Mark Otieno has not represented the country since his doping ban in 2021.
- Otieno was banned at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after returning a positive sample.
- His ban ended in August 2023.
- World 800m champion Mary Moraa will take charge of the 4 × 400m women's team.
Kenya’s three-time national sprint champion Mark Otieno is
once again raring to go and represent the country at a higher level after his
initial dream was deferred following a two-year doping ban back in 2021.
After proper practice, resilience and determination, Otieno
has earned a spot in the star-studded team selected to represent the country in
the upcoming World Athletics Relays slated for May 4-5 at the Thomas Robinson
Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
"Grateful is an understatement. Made my first national
team in 2 years today in the presence of my family. My God is restoring. I
bless His name forever," he stated.
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"My ultimate target is to qualify for the Olympics but
right now let us focus on the World Relays and the rest will fall into place,”
he added.
After his selection, Kenya will again be treated to a
spectacular from the dynamic duo of Otieno and Africa's fastest man Ferdinand
Omanyala in the World Athletics Relays.
Omanyala backed the selected team indicating they have what
it takes to compete in the Bahamas.
"It is a good team and the only thing we need to work
on is the exchanges because the World Relays is not going to be jokes as usual.
Starting next week we are going to make a very strong team
not just physicality but also the mental aspect and the cohesion that we will
have," Omanyala stated.
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World 800m champion Mary Moraa will take charge of the 4 ×
400m women's team. Moraa, who clinched gold in the just concluded All African
Games in Ghana, exuded confidence in the team, terming the win as a perfect
launch to realize the Paris ambitions.
“We’re ready for Bahmas to represent our country and the
team. For today we’ve done our best and we believe to continue with the form in
the next races. I will participate in both the 4x400m and mixed relay,"
she stated.
Other athletes in the team include Mercy Chebet, Jackline
Nanjala, Joan Cherono, Veronica Mutua, Vanice Kerubo, Maureen Thomas, Gladys
Jepkemboi and Diana Chebet.
The teams will head to the camp to sharpen their skills and
exchanges before flying out to the Bahamas for the World Athletics Relays
scheduled for May 4-5.
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Selected Team
4 × 100m men's team
Omanyala, Mark Otieno, Meshack Babu of the Kenya Defence
Forces, 2015 national 100m champion Mike Mokamba and Samuel Chege will also
represent the country in the category.
4 × 400m men's team
2022 Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay bronze medalist Wiseman
Were, national 400m champion Boniface Mweresa, national 400m champion Zablon
Ekwam, 2017 fourth-place finisher for the mixed 4x400m relay in the World Youth
Championships David Sanayek, Brian Tenega, Moitalel Nadokila, Kelvin Kipkorir,
Nathaniel Kipngetich, and Kennedy Kimeu will represent the country.
4 × 400m women's team
Mary Moraa, Mercy Chebet, Jackline Nanjala, Joan Cherono, Veronica Mutua, Vanice Kerubo, Maureen Thomas, Gladys Jepkemboi, and Diana Chebet