Former world javelin champion Julius Yego is saddened by the lack of support for non-track athletes in Kenya and feels the country will struggle in field events once he retires.

As the twilight of a remarkable career approaches, there is an unmistakable sense of frustration and sadness in the words of one of the sport’s veterans. “The future is not promising as at now considering that I am almost exiting yet we don’t see any support. It’s so sad that we might take a long period to get an athlete in javelin who is world-class unless the support comes in.” These are the words of a javelin athlete who has given everything to the sport but now fears for the next generation.

The challenges facing javelin athletes, particularly in regions where athletics isn’t a major priority, are immense. While sports like soccer, basketball, and even track events like sprinting often get the limelight, field events like javelin often struggle to attract attention, funding, and support. For a sport that demands not only raw talent but also technical training, access to equipment, and consistent coaching, the lack of infrastructure can be crippling.

This veteran athlete’s words reflect a broader issue — a sport in decline due to insufficient support and investment. The road to creating a world-class athlete in any discipline is a long and demanding one, but in a highly specialized event like javelin, the obstacles can be even more daunting.

A Personal Journey Defined by Passion

For this javelin thrower, the journey has been one of passion, determination, and sacrifice. Over the years, they have dedicated their life to mastering the technical intricacies of javelin throwing, competing at the highest level and representing their country with pride. Despite the challenges, they’ve fought through the odds, achieving notable success and inspiring younger athletes along the way.

But now, nearing the end of their career, the veteran is facing a harsh reality: the future of javelin in their country looks bleak. There is a sense of frustration that after years of hard work and dedication, the necessary support for the sport has still not materialized. For an athlete who has given so much to the sport, this lack of recognition and investment is deeply disheartening.

“I have seen how much effort it takes to compete at the international level,” they explain. “It’s not just about natural talent. You need proper coaching, access to training facilities, and financial support to travel for competitions. Without these things, it’s almost impossible to develop into a world-class athlete.”

The Harsh Reality of Lack of Support

In many parts of the world, sports funding is often limited, and the lion’s share goes to more popular or commercially viable sports. For athletes in disciplines like javelin, finding sponsors, securing funding, and even obtaining access to proper training facilities can be an uphill battle. Often, these athletes are left to rely on personal savings, family support, or community fundraising efforts to compete on the international stage.

This reality becomes even more difficult when considering the intense physical and mental demands of javelin throwing. Unlike team sports, which often benefit from broader support networks and economies of scale, javelin athletes usually train in isolation, honing their skills in environments that may lack proper resources.

For an athlete nearing retirement, the concern isn’t just about personal experiences but about the future of the sport. “When I retire, who will take over? Where is the next generation of athletes who can continue representing our country? I don’t see that right now, and it worries me deeply,” the veteran lamented.

Without significant investment and support, the development pipeline for javelin athletes could dry up, leaving the sport in limbo. It’s a stark contrast to the global scene, where countries with robust athletics programs continue to churn out top-tier talent in field events, ensuring their dominance at international competitions.

The Importance of Early Development

To produce world-class athletes, it is crucial to identify and nurture talent from an early age. In countries with successful athletics programs, young athletes are scouted and developed through structured systems that offer comprehensive training and education. However, in countries where sports infrastructure is lacking, many young talents go unnoticed or underdeveloped, with their potential never fully realized.

For javelin, a sport that requires both physical prowess and technical skill, the need for early development is even more pronounced. Athletes must learn the complex mechanics of the throw, develop strength and flexibility, and receive proper coaching to compete at an elite level. However, without adequate support systems in place, these young athletes may never have the opportunity to fully develop their potential.

“Our young athletes are talented, there’s no question about that,” the veteran explains. “But talent alone isn’t enough. You need proper coaching from a young age, access to equipment, and the opportunity to compete against other top athletes. Right now, we don’t have that. And without it, I fear we may lose an entire generation of javelin throwers.”

The Ripple Effect of Neglect

The lack of support for javelin athletes doesn’t just affect the current crop of athletes — it has far-reaching implications for the sport as a whole. When younger athletes see that there is no viable pathway to success in a particular discipline, they may choose to pursue other sports or abandon their athletic dreams altogether.

This creates a vicious cycle: without the development of young talent, the sport struggles to produce world-class athletes, and without world-class athletes, the sport struggles to attract funding and support. This cycle of neglect can be difficult to break, particularly in countries where sports funding is already limited.

The veteran athlete understands this cycle all too well. “I remember being a young athlete, looking up to the older generation of javelin throwers and dreaming of one day competing at their level,” they recall. “But if our young athletes don’t see that there is a future in javelin, if they don’t see that they can make a career out of it, we risk losing them to other sports or losing them entirely.”

The Way Forward

For javelin to thrive and continue to produce world-class athletes, there must be a concerted effort from both governmental bodies and private institutions to invest in the sport. This means providing funding for training facilities, offering scholarships and sponsorship opportunities to young athletes, and creating platforms for javelin throwers to compete at both the national and international levels.

“We need to create a system where young athletes can see a future in javelin,” the veteran athlete said. “It’s about more than just winning medals — it’s about inspiring the next generation and giving them the tools they need to succeed.”

There is also a need for greater awareness and recognition of the sport. In many countries, javelin is seen as a niche discipline, often overshadowed by more popular sports. By raising the profile of javelin through media coverage, community outreach, and educational programs, there is potential to spark new interest and excitement around the sport.

A Call for Urgency

As this veteran javelin thrower prepares to exit the sport, their concerns are a poignant reminder of the challenges facing many athletes in less-resourced disciplines. Without immediate action and investment, the future of javelin in their country may indeed take “a long period” to regain its footing on the world stage.

“The clock is ticking,” they said in closing. “If we don’t act now, we may lose more than just athletes — we may lose the future of the sport.”