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Host Kenya assures safe World Youth Championships

Xinhua, February 8, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya has moved in to quell fears that the country is unsafe to host the 2017 World Youth Championships in Nairobi in July, but Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said Wednesday the country is safe and ready to host anybody.

Several countries including the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland and Canada said due to security concerns, they would not send their athletes to Kenya for the championship, which starts on July 12-16.

Kenya is expecting over 1,200 athletes to come into the country for the weeklong competition, which will be marking its final stop before it is withdrawn by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

"There has never been a better time to host these championships than now. We are safe. Our security apparatus and intelligence are on the alert ready for any eventualities. We have the military and police helping in these efforts," said Nkaissery.

The U.S. government has always been warning its citizens against travel to Kenya over terror threats. The U.S. State Department has placed Kenya as a "critical" crime and terrorism destination.

According to a news release, USA Track and Field (USATF) conducted a risk assessment and reviewed the State Department's security summary.

"Due to increased security costs and the fact that all athletes would be aged 18 and younger, USATF has decided not to hold a selection event nor to travel to the championship," according to a USATF news release.

Kenya and the USA have dominated these championships since their inaugural event in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 1999.

The last championships were held in Cali, Colombia in 2015 where again Kenya was second to the U.S. in the overall medal standings. But Kenya may now have the final say at home without their perennial rival.

The championships will be discontinued after the Nairobi event. IAAF President Sebastian Coe said: "We decided it's not the best pathway for those athletes at that stage of their career." Endit