By Athletics Kenya Media Team
The Nyayo National Stadium, host of the seventh edition of the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, has been given a clean bill of health in terms of air quality, an encouraging signal that could pave the way for fast times on the track.
Ngongang Wandji Danube, a research fellow in data science and air quality management at the Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI) Africa, revealed that continuous monitoring around Nyayo over the past four years has shown consistently favourable conditions.
The institute installed air quality sensors at the venue as part of a long-term assessment.
“The air monitoring system at Nyayo has been in place for the past four years, and we have observed that air quality has remained within the recommended health levels,” Wandji noted.
Athletics Kenya, a key stakeholder under World Athletics, partnered with SEI to align with the global governing body’s directive requiring event venues to meet strict air quality standards.
“The Stockholm Environmental Institute has supported Athletics Kenya for the past four years since 2022. As a signatory to World Athletics, it means any sanctioned event that AK hosts must comply with sustainability standards set by the global body,” he explained.
Wandji added that their work has involved identifying and monitoring venues earmarked for top-tier competitions, with Nyayo Stadium among those selected to host elite events like the Kip Keino Classic.
Why Nyayo Stadium has good air quality
He attributed Nyayo Stadium’s favourable readings to its open-air design, which allows for natural dispersion of pollutants.
“Nyayo Stadium is an open area, so depending on wind conditions, particles in the air are dispersed, with limited accumulation. That is why air pollution levels have remained below the thresholds set by World Athletics,” he said.
World Athletics recommends maintaining air quality within “Good” or “Moderate” levels, typically an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 100 or below, to safeguard athletes from the harmful effects of pollution.
Monitoring at Nyayo focuses on key pollutants, including PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), PM10 (coarse particles), nitrogen dioxide, alongside meteorological data.
“The system looks particularly at PM2.5, which are the tiniest particles in the air and can significantly affect athletes,” Wandji explained.
At Nyayo, the sensors are strategically positioned near the training track to capture real-time ambient conditions.
“The system monitors ambient air conditions and is fully outdoor-based. At Nyayo, we have installed it at the training track. The rationale is to document the conditions athletes are exposed to during preparation,” he added.
Wandji underscored the critical role of clean air in elite performance, noting that marginal gains can often separate victory from defeat.
“In major competitions like the Kip Keino Classic, every second counts. Training in good air quality conditions can have a direct impact on performance and outcomes,” he said.
