Kenyan Javelin thrower, Julius Yego has dismissed rumours that he was offered Sh1 Billion by the wealthy Arab Nation, Qatar, to change his citizenship.
Speculations came up as soon as the Kenyan athletes arrived in the country from Beijing, China, where Yego won a gold medal in the men's javelin, throwing a record mark of 92.72 metres.
However, the IAAF Javelin Champion told Nairobi News that no country had approached him to change his citizanship.
“Why would I do that? Money can’t take me anywhere. Who will recognise me in Qatar? How many Kenyans have gone to Qatar and come back here crying? Most have since returned to the country and are destitute,” he said.
Yego who is also known as the 'YouTube Man' - for having taught himself Javelin through YouTube - first represented Kenya internationally, in the 2010 Commonwealth games in India.
He has since been a rising star, constantly beating his records in previous competitions.
The 26-year old's remarkable win in Beijing placed him in the glare of the international media, which perhaps sparked the 'Qatar rumours'. However, if Yego was to leave his country of birth for Qatar, he would be banned from competing for the Arabians in the next three years.
This would mean the Gold medalist would suffer a major setback since he won't be able to defend his record or participate in the coveted 2018 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
