World U20: Kenya's Mixed Relay Team Disqualified for Lane Infringement During Heats

• Kenya finished second in the heats in the 4x400m mixed relay behind Nigeria
• However, cameras showed a lane infringement and the Kenyan team was disqualified
• The Ethiopians were also disqualified as India won the first heat ahead of Jamaica

Kenya suffered a blow in the 4x400m mixed relay at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships as the team was disqualified for infringement.

It had overall been an impressive race on Wednesday, August 18 as the Kenyan team finished second behind Nigeria.

Elkanah Kiprotich’ powerful run in the final stretch was enough to see Kenya emerge in second place and looked set to book a place in the final but cameras determined there was lane-infringement and the team was ultimately disqualified.

As well as Kiprotich, team Kenya also comprised of Sylvia Chelangat, Loice Morara and Kennedy Kimeu.

TUKO.co.ke also established that Ethiopians were also disqualified.

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How it happened

There was a lot of hope surrounding the Kenyan quartet and once they made a promising start thanks to Kennedy Kimeu, who had a decent anchor leg when he poorly passed the baton to Chelegat who ran her metres then handed over to Moraa.

Kiprotich ran the final 100 metres but lost momentum when it mattered to ensure Nigeria finished first.

It was not a disastrous race by any stretch, but despite the second-place finish, celebrations were cut short after an announcement was made that the team had been disqualified for a lane violation.

Nigeria won the race in a time of 3:21.66 to set a new championships record and as it stands, they are favourite to win gold in the final.

It is a bit disheartening for the Kenyan side to be disqualified since they provided the biggest threat to team Nigeria

The rules

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In relays, there are some strict rules which usually require participants to be in sync and nearly flawless when passing the baton.

The baton can only be passed within the exchange zone, which is typically 20 metres long and exchanges made outside the zone could result in disqualification.

Passers must also strictly remain in their lanes whole passing the baton to avoid obstructing their opponents.