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Eugene, Oregon (AP) — Ferdinand Omanara has forgotten visa issues, jet lag from international flights, and a crazy dash from the airport to the truck for 10.10 seconds. Time line.
However, as the Kenyan sprinter crossed the finish line, fatigue struck him violently.
Next stop: Bed.
But at least Omaniala knows this and can sleep peacefully on Friday night — he advanced to the 100-meter semi-final round at the World Championships.
“I didn’t know I was tired until I ran the race,” said Omurnara, who advanced to the night when Fred Kerley set the fastest time at 9.79 seconds. Challenge aside. You have to come here and run. “
Due to the delay in getting a visa, it was just a race to participate in the race. He actually resigned to sit this down.
However, his paperwork was approved in the last hour and his team immediately scrambled and booked the flight. There were also flights from Nairobi to Doha, Seattle, and finally Eugene, and finally Hayward Field. Overall, he spent about 20 hours flying. Layover is not included.
He received an upgrade to business class. It made sleep a little easier. However, as a warm-up method, you do not run down the aisle. He drank a lot of water.
Omurnara arrived at the track about two hours before the 100th race. He was placed 7th in the 7th heat and purchased extra time to stretch. He finished in 3rd place in the heat. This was enough to get him to the semifinals.
“It’s tired and mentally torture,” Omaniala said of his trials. “If you aren’t strong enough, you’ll crumble.”
This is not the typical routine of Omurnara, who likes to arrive about 3-4 days before the event.
“This was just different,” he said. “This was my first time. I have never been in such a situation.”
His case was one of about 375 reported to the local organizer, World Athletics, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. World Athletics officials said less than 1% of the 5,500 participants and officials coming to Eugene still have visa issues on the eve of the championship.
That’s too much for Omaniala’s eyes. He hopes that visa issues will not stagnate when the next major tournament is held in the United States — the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“They need to learn from now on and do better next time,” he said.
His rivals were certainly impressed with his quick turnaround. This is also a risk and reward proposal. A long plane ride and lack of enough water is a combination for pulling a hamstring. American Marvin Bracey, who won the first heat, developed into a similar situation before the Diamond League race in Europe. He chose not to go.
“Because we know how dangerous it is,” Bracy said. “It’s a little scary to get out here and compete at that high level.”
Omaniala received a lift from applause at Hayward Field.
“I hope you see a lot of fans cheering for you,” said Omurara, who has a season’s best time of 9.85 seconds. “I certainly felt uplifted.”
As he was chatting in the mixzone, a Dutch sprinter passed in front of him and simply said he was a “hero.”
Those who are tired.
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