Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is out of the World Athletics Championships that are being held in the United States. This is after the US Embassy delayed issuing him with a US visa, in what has been interpreted by many Kenyans as a deliberate delay equal to a refusal.
Omanyala, 26, was set to compete in the 100m at the championships that open on Friday in Eugene, Oregon.
“I have given up my trip to Oregon. Even if I am given a visa today it’s too late,” Omanyala told news agency, AFP.
Even if he were to get a Visa on Thursday, he would still not make it to the US on time. “It would mean booking flights which can only be possible at night and the race is on tomorrow. It’s not possible,” he told the AFP.
The Kenyan teams had been due to leave for the United States in two batches on Monday and Tuesday, but several members including Omanyala did not receive visas.
Omanyala is the third-quickest man in the world this season behind Americans Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell, setting a time of 9:85 in May.
In September last year, he clinched the African record of 9:77, making him the ninth-fastest man ever, behind four Americans and three Jamaicans.
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“I have accepted the situation and will now focus on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,” said Omanyala.
The Commonwealth Games open in the English city on July 28 and run until August 8.
In the meantime, he said: “I will sit back and watch the race in Oregon and enjoy it.
“I hope I will be better when the next world championship comes round in Budapest in 2023.”