NAIROBI, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government has thrown a security cordon at the venue and environs of the 2018 World Under-18 Athletics Championships that get underway on Wednesday in Nairobi.
All the facilities that will play host to the event that will run from July 12 to 16, have been secured in one of the biggest security undertakings to be seen in the country in recent times.
Contingents of armed law keepers from all security formations are leaving nothing to chance in order to secure the games that saw some teams pull out owing to purported security concerns.
"We have left nothing to chance to host secure games. Those countries that pulled out will rue the day they made their decision not to attend the event," the CEO of the local organizing committee, Mwangi Muthee, remarked.
Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and defending champions United States have already announced their withdrawals from the games.
All vehicles heading to the venue of the event must undergo security checking more than 100 meters away from the stadium and police officers are under instructions to be courteous albeit maintaining a hawk eye on people.
A police post has been set up at the venue to deter any uncertainty that might visit the games.
The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Sebastian Coe told reporters on Tuesday that the association decided to make the event the last edition in order to shift focus to regional and continental competitions in order to give impetus to develop the sport in areas that are lagging behind.
"I wish young athletes competing this week, many of who will be travelling abroad for the first time in their lives, an enjoyable experience and a memorable time," Coe said.
Among the athletes who passed through the ranks of the Under 18 championships are world record holders Usain Bolt (100m and 200m) and David Rudisha (800m).
