Kipchoge, Omanyala and Kipyegon headline Kenya’s dream team to the Paris Olympics

The Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi this past weekend revealed the athletes who will represent Kenya at the Paris Olympics. The nation aims to improve upon its 2020 performance in Tokyo, where it ranked 1st in Africa and 19th globally with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

By Oliver Ochieng

After two days of Athletics Kenya’s (AK) intense trials for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the dust has settled and now the East African nation has a strong team for the summer games, which begin on July 26 to August 11, 2024.    

AK announced a team of over 30 athletes, while others, especially in the 100-meter women’s category, have been tasked with working hard to meet the qualifying times before the June 30, 2024, deadline.

Kenyan athletes, traditionally known for long-distance running, are approaching this year’s Olympics focused on bettering results registered during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, when the Country was ranked 1^st in Africa, and 19^th in the world with 4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals.

With a return of 16 medals (6 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze), the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, remain Kenya’s best performance in history.  

According to Jackson Tuwei, AK President, Kenyan athletes can surpass the levels reached in 2008 if they embrace unity and discipline.

“The whole world is now looking at you. Don’t just aim for the podium. Also, aim to be disciplined and avoid doping. Understand all the rules of the games so as not to be disqualified at the games,” he stated.

The Kenya squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics is headed by two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge. The legendary marathoner is seeking to become the first man in the world to win three Olympic marathon titles on the trot, after emerging victorious in Brazil’s capital, Rio de Janeiro, in 2016 and Tokyo four years later.

The 39-year-old Kipchoge was expected to face the race of his life during the Olympics against his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, before the latter succumbed to a road accident in February 2024.  

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala and three-time world 1500m champion, Faith Kipyegon, are some of the other star performers and perennial champions in the team. Faith is aiming for gold in both the 1500 and 5000 m races.

She said the ‘dash for gold’ in the two categories will be a herculean task, but added that given the prestige that comes with winning both competitions, it is a risk worth taking.  

“It would be history to win the 1500m for the third time and also to clinch the 5000m. I know it is not going to be easy, but I am going to try and see what will be possible,” she said, beaming with a broad smile.

After securing the 5000-meter ticket on Friday, the 30-year-old double Olympic champion led from start to finish in a dominant display at the trials finals, clocking 3:53.99 in 1500m. This marked her return to competition after last September’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

In the 100 metres, after clocking a world-leading time of 9.79 seconds, marking his second-fastest time in history, Omanyala sounded a warning to his opponents, urging them to brace for a bruising battle at the Olympics.

“This should be a warning to so many sprinters right now because when I peak, I peak so well. I am happy that it is coming at this time, less than a month and a half to the Olympics, that’s our target.”

Athletics events in Paris will start on August 1 and conclude on August 11.

Here now is Team Kenya’s team to the Paris Olympics:

100m Men

Ferdinand Omanyala

400m Women

Mary Moraa

400m Men

Zablon Ekwong

400 Men Hurdles

Wiseman Were

800m Women

Lilian Odira

800m Men

1. Emmanuel Wanyonyi

2. Wycliffe Kinyamal

3. Koitatoi Kidali

1500m Women

1. Faith Kipyegon

2. Mary Chepchirchir

3. Susan Ejore

1500m Men

1. Reynold Cheruiyot

2. Timothy Cheruiyot

3000m SC Women

1. Faith Cherotich

2. Beatrice Chepkoech

3. Jackline Chepkoech

3,000m SC Men

1. Amos Serem

2. Simon Koech

3. Abraham Kibiwott

5000m Women

1. Faith Kipyegon

2. Beatrice Chebet

5,000m Men

1. Ronald Kwemoi

2. Jacob Krop

3. Edwin Kurgat

10,000m Women

1. Beatrice Chebet

2. Lilian Kasaich

3. Margaret Chelimo

10,000m Men

1. Daniel Mateiko

2. Nicholas Kipkorir

3. Bernard Kibet

Women Marathon

1. Peres Jepchirchir

2. Hellen Obiri

3. Bridgit Kosgey

Men Marathon

1. Eliud Kipchoge

2. Benson Kipruto

3. Alexander Mutiso

4. Timothy Kiplagat

Team Manager

Peter Angwenyi

Coaches

1. Geofrey Kimani

2. Stanley Towet

3. Askaria Jelagat

4. Bernard Ouma

5. Alex Sang

6. Julius Kirwa

7. James Mutisya

8. Eustine chepchirchir

Marathon coaches

1. Patrick Sang

2. Nicholas Koech

3. Mary Keitany

/SPNA