2024 Paris Olympics was Kenya’s moment to display her athletic prowess, as the nation clinched the top spot on the African medal table. With a haul of four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, Kenya secured a commendable 17th overall ranking, surpassing regional rivals Algeria and South Africa. This marked a significant improvement compared to their 19th-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A defining moment in Kenya’s Olympic history, the 2024 Paris Games witnessed a remarkable shi in gender dynamics. For the first time, Kenyan women outshone their male counterparts, claiming seven medals while men secured four. This historic feat shattered the longstanding tradition of male dominance, dating back to the country’s Olympic debut in 1964.

Leading the women’s charge was Beatrice Chebet, who etched her name in Olympic lore with two gold medals in the 5000 and 10000-meter races. Faith Kipyegon also contributed significantly, securing a gold medal in the 1500 meters and a silver in the 5000 meters. On the men’s side, 20-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi carried the torch, winning a gold medal in the 800 meters and extending Kenya’s dominance in the event for the past 16 years. However, the absence of Eliud Kipchoge from the marathon due to injury was a notable disappointment for Kenyan fans.

While Kenya’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was undoubtedly impressive, sports pundits have highlighted several key areas for improvement. National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Athletics Kenya (AK) are urged to carefully analyze the Games and implement necessary reforms to ensure continued success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Additionally, there is a pressing need to identify and nurture young talent to replenish the ranks as current athletes retire.

Sports pundits propose that Kenya ought to embark on exploring exchange initiatives with the USA and other countries, especially for sprinters like Ferdinand Omanyala. They highlight that a multitude of global athletes journey to Kenya for prolonged training stints, enabling them to effectively vie against Kenyan marathon champions. Considering that nations such as the USA and Jamaica excel in short-distance events, it is crucial for Kenyan sprinters to immerse themselves in overseas training environments that enhance their speed, empowering them to contend on the world stage.

Kamotho Waiganjo an Advocate of the high court avers that the Olympics is a reminder for Kenya to stop putting all its eggs in the athletic basket because it is not sustainable as a long-term strategy. While Kenya consistently ranks highly in athletics, its overall performance across all sports falls short. Athletes like Julius Yego and Alexandra Ndolo have shown that Kenya has the potential to excel in other disciplines. To improve Kenya’s overall Olympic standing, it’s crucial to invest in a broader range of sports. Africa should also advocate for the inclusion of sports in the Olympics that align with our local strengths and traditions. This could include sports like traditional African games or disciplines where we have a natural advantage. By diversifying our sports focus, Kenya can not only improve its overall Olympic performance but also inspire a new generation of athletes to achieve greatness in a wider range of sports.

Across the borders, Uganda triumphantly claimed the 55th spot among 206 nations in the Olympic arena, with Joshua Cheptegei dazzling the crowd by securing a gold medal in the exhilarating 10,000-meter race, while Peruth Chemutai proudly brought home a silver medal in the electrifying women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Cheptegei de ly navigated the fierce tactics of the Ethiopian squad, capturing the coveted gold in the men’s Olympic 10,000-meter showdown held at the iconic Stade de France. The three-time world champion astoundingly clocked an Olympic record time of 26 minutes and 43.14 seconds during his glorious victory on Friday.
Rwanda’s performance was less than stellar, as Yves Nimubona settled for a 21st place finish in the 10,000-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marked their most commendable effort in the event yet. This outcome reflects Rwanda’s burgeoning footprint in the realm of international athletics, with Nimubona’s determination showcasing the nation’s latent potential on the world stage. His achievement signifies not only personal glory but also a promising trajectory for Rwandan athletics, inspiring further growth and investment in the sport.
Joy surged through South Sudan Basketball as they celebrated a remarkable victory against Puerto Rico, winning 90-79 and marking their inaugural Olympics triumph in their very first Olympic encounter. Their success in the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament 2024 positions them as only the third African team to win its opening game at the Olympics, following the Central African Republic in 1988 and Nigeria in 2012. Moreover, this victory represents only the second time an African team has defeated a team from the Americas in the competition, breaking a streak of 33 consecutive losses since those earlier wins.