Americans won’t compete in final World U18 Championships

With crime and terrorism described as “critical” in Kenya, USATF officials don’t intend to risk placing athletes and coaches in danger at meet’s last edition in July

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

IAAF President Sebastian Coe had already announced in August that the World U18 Championships, scheduled for July 12-17 in Nairobi, Kenya, would be the final edition of the event formerly known as the World Youth Championships.

USATF officials recently decided they would not be sending a team to the competition, citing safety concerns for athletes and coaches. Kenya has a crime and terrorism rating of “critical,” the highest level possible according to the U.S. Department of State. The USATF press release is attached.

The U.S. follows the decision of Great Britain, which determined in December that it would not be sending athletes and coaches to compete in Kenya.

Americans captured 19 medals in their final appearance at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia, with several athletes from that roster going on to win gold last year at the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.