Athletics Kenya (AK) has announced that this year’s Prefontaine Classic Diamond League, scheduled for July 5 at Hayward Field, University of Oregon, will serve as the selection event for the men’s 10,000m and women’s 5,000m teams for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The decision follows Kenya’s rich history of standout performances at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic, where Kenyan athletes have set world records and secured major titles. Notably, in 2011, Moses Mosop set double world records in the men’s 25,000m and 30,000m events at the meet.

More recently, at last year’s Prefontaine Classic, Beatrice Chebet set a world record of 28:54.14 in the women’s 10,000m, securing her place for the Paris Olympics where she won gold in both the 10,000m and 5,000m.

Joining her were Lilian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo, who also earned Olympic qualification through their performances.

Athletics Kenya expressed confidence that the competitive nature of the Prefontaine Classic will produce a world-class team capable of podium sweeps in Tokyo.

The federation thanked the event organizers for providing a high-level competitive environment and world-class facilities.

While the Prefontaine Classic will be the venue for the trials, AK clarified that the final selection of athletes for the men’s 5,000m and women’s 10,000m will take place during national trials in Nairobi, at a venue yet to be confirmed.

This marks the second consecutive year AK has used the Prefontaine Classic for major team selections, following its use for the 10,000m Olympic team selection in 2024.

The event continues to attract top Kenyan talent, including world medalists and record holders, underscoring Kenya’s enduring connection to the meet.

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