The chances of Kenyan athletes competing in the forthcoming Paris Olympics are under threat as top athletes in the country have vowed to snub the Olympics trials if the event is not held at a venue certified by World Athletics following the closure of the Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums which have the needed facilities.

Athletics Kenya (AK) is currently faced with a challenge of where to host the Olympics trials slated from June 14-15, since Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums, the only two World Athletics-accredited venues in the country, are currently closed for renovation.

Though AK President Jack Tuwei has promised the athletes that efforts are being put in place to have the trials conducted at a certified venue, the actors themselves have vowed not to attend the trials if the venue is not up to world standard.

In an interview with sports journalists, Tuwei said he is optimistic the July Olympic trials will be held in Nairobi.

An athlete who did not want his name mentioned expressed his concerns and those of his colleagues in the same situation.

“Even though I have attained the Paris Olympics standards, I will not attend in solidarity with those who would like to strive and get the standard at the trials,” he said.

“These are sentiments shared by all the athletes because they have missed a great opportunity to qualify for Paris Olympics with the National Athletics Championships being held at Ulinzi Complex,” the top athlete noted.

The bone of contention, according to concerned athletes, is that Athletics Kenya was planning to host the trials at the Ulinzi Complex whose track is not certified by World Athletics.

“That means any times recorded at the event would not count as Olympic qualifying standards, denying athletes who have not already attained the required marks, an opportunity to qualify for the Paris Games,” a local sport media reports.

“It would therefore force then to seek qualification elsewhere when the deadline for Olympic qualification is June 30.”

Sprinters, such as Mark Otieno, will be among the most hit given that only Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Zablon Ekwam (400m) and Wiseman Were (400m hurdles) have attained the Olympic qualifying marks.

Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, has become the first Nigerian footballer to score a hat trick in a European cup final after his three goals ended Bayern Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in all competitions this season.

The Nigerian star also etched his name in history as he handed his Italian club, Atalanta, her first ever European Cup title, as well as becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final for 49 years.

The Bergamo-based side which has long existed l in the shadows of nearby giants AC and Inter Milan, have now enjoyed a golden era under Gian Piero Gasperini, reaching the Champions League on four occasions, and now have silverware to show for it.

Leverkusen which made a name under Xabi Alonso with a habit of late fightbacks in their fairy-tale run to winning a first-ever Bundesliga title without tasting defeat and reaching the Europa League final, were put to the sword with Atalanta’s direct play and pacy attackers.

Atalanta’s more purposeful play in the opening stages was rewarded after just 12 minutes when Davide Zappacosta got to the by-line and Lookman caught Exequiel Palacios napping to fire into the top corner at the back post.

The former Everton, Leicester City, Fulham and RB Leipzig striker was to be Leverkusen nemesis when he slammed in his second goal of the night after he nutmegged Granit Xhaka before curling a powerful shot into the far corner.

The final blow was a thunderbolt finish from the 26-year-old Lookman as he skipped past Edmond Tapsoba and blasted into the top corner on his weaker left foot.

With the win, Atalanta became the first Italian side to win the competition since Parma lifted the UEFA Cup in 1999.