- The Kenyan Olympians deserved the honour, as they, through stiff worldly competition, kept Kenya’s sports star shining bright.
The just concluded Paris Olympics 2024 saw Kenya’s Head of State hosting a grand reception at the state house to honour the country’s athletic champions. This gesture by President Ruto melted the hearts of many Kenyans, who felt that the champions brought glory to not only Kenya but Africa as a whole. The Kenyan Olympians deserved the honour, as they, through stiff worldly competition, kept Kenya’s sports star shining bright.
President Ruto hosted the champions in a breakfast meeting at the Eldoret State Lodge before heading to the Eldoret Sports Club for a grand entry to the Sports Club where the Olympic champions received cash prizes from the government. The public recognition was a testament to the pride felt by the Kenyan people.
Kenya emerged as the top-performing nation in Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympics, ranking 17th worldwide. The country won four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals.
The gold medalists were Beatrice Chebet (5,000m and 10,000), Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m), and Faith Kipyegon (1,500) while the silver medalists were Ronald Kwemoi (5,000m) and Faith Kipyegon (5,000). Moreover, the bronze medalists were Mary Moraa (800m), Abraham Kibiwott (3,000m steeplechase), Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), Benson Kipruto (marathon) and Hellen Obiri (marathon).
Kenya’s participation in the Olympics dates back to the 1950s. In 1956, Kenya first participated in the Olympic Games, and since then, the country has consistently sent athletes to every Summer Games.
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These games, taking place every 4 years, have seen Kenya making history on the Olympic stage.
In 2020, during the Tokyo Olympics, Kenya secured ten medals. That year, Emmanuel Korir (800m), Faith Kipyegon (1500m), Peres Jepchirchir (marathon), and Eliud Kipchoge (marathon) were the gold medalists while Hellen Obiri (5000m), Fergussin Rotich (800m), Brigid Kosgei (marathon) and Timothy Cheruiyot (1500m) won silver. Benjamin Kigen and Hyvin Kiyeng won the men's and women's 3000m steeplechase races.
During the 2016 Rio De Janeiro games, 13 medals (6 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze) were brought home.
The gold medalists were Jemima Sumgong in women's marathon, David Rudisha in 800m, Faith Kipyegon in 1500m, Conseslus Kipruto in 3000m steeplechase, Vivian Ceruiyot in 5000m and Eliud Kipchoge marathon.
Meanwhile, Vivian Cheruiyot (10000m), Paul Tanui (10000m), Hyvin Kiyeng (3000m steeplechase), Boniface Mucheru (400m hurdles), and Hellen Obiri (5000m) all grabbed silver, while Julius Yego managed a rare javelin silver. Margaret Wambui won bronze in women's 800m.
Kenya also clinched 13 medals (2 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze) at the London Olympics in 2012.
The 2012-2024 games have seen familiar faces representing Kenya, such as Hellen Obiri and Faith Kipyegon who have delivered victories for the country.
Eliud Kipchoge, who has dominated world sports for years, has been widely celebrated for his resilience and achievements in various Olympic Games. Since his onset in participating in the Olympics, Kipchoge has participated in approximately 20 world marathons, in which he has secured 15 victories. His 2019 world record of 1.59:40 in Vienna is the most outstanding of all.
Not to forget, the late Kelvin Kiptum still holds the marathon world record. As of 2024, he ran three of the fastest marathons in history and was ranked first among the world's men's marathon runners.
Such examples and many others show that the legacy of Kenya’s Olympians is a source of immense pride for the nation.
