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Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala has revealed his decision to skip recent Diamond League races.
Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has revealed why he chose to skip the final two Diamond League meetings ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris.
Omanyala, who is currently the second fastest man in the 100 meters this season with a time of 9.79 seconds, explained that his absence from these races was a strategic decision made to ensure peak performance at the Olympics.
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Speaking from the residential training camp in Miramas, Southern France, Omanyala emphasized that his decision to forgo the final Diamond League events was not due to any lack of readiness.
“Skipping the races doesn’t mean I wasn’t ready for them. It is the proper plan from my coach that we needed close to three weeks to prepare for the games and so far all is well and I am hoping I will be ready on the big day,” noted a confident Omanyala as quoted by Citizen Digital.
Omanyala's absence from these key races meant he missed direct competition with Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who leads the season with a time of 9.77 seconds, and the American sprinting star Noah Lyles.
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However, Omanyala remains steadfast in his belief that concentrating on preparation is crucial for success.
“I am fully focused on my training which I am enjoying. I am sure my competitors have their plans too but me and my team are eyeing the prize,” he added.
The 27-year-old Kenyan sprinter, who clocked an impressive 9.79 seconds at the Olympics trials held at Nyayo National Stadium, expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from Kenyan fans in France.
“I am receiving great support from the fans here in France. They love Team Kenya a lot and I am sure come race days, they will come out in large numbers and support us,” stated the Commonwealth champion.
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Omanyala is scheduled to compete in the Men’s 100m preliminary round at the Stade de France on Saturday at 11:35 a.m.
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![[WATCH] Mary Moraa, Lestile Tebogo & Beatrice Chebet dance with joy after Diamond League victories](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/07092024/d2650404-7c36-426d-92be-aa3b34688ba1.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
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