USA Track and Field will not send athletes to the World Youth Championships for athletes under 18 years old in Kenya in July, citing reasons including security concerns in a letter published by Flotrack.
“The U.S. Department of State gives Kenya a crime and terrorism rating of ‘Critical,’ the highest level possible,” the letter read. “The State Department’s security summary includes risks for all types of crime, from theft to violent crime and terrorism. Given the ‘Critical’ threat, the high cost associated with our team’s increased security needs, and that the team would be composed of children, USATF will not select or travel a team to this event.