The 33rd Olympic Games in Paris concluded yesterday, marking the end of 16 days of intense competition. Gold medals were decided in nine sports: athletics, basketball, track cycling, handball, modern pentathlon, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling.
Kenya finished the Games with an impressive medal haul: four golds, three silvers, and five bronzes. Beatrice Chebet won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events, while Faith Kipyegon claimed gold in the 1,500m and Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the 800m. The silver medals were won by Kipyegon in the 5,000m and Ronald Kwemoi in the 5,000m. The bronze medals were earned by Faith Cherotich (3,000m steeplechase), Abraham Kibiwot (3,000m steeplechase), Mary Moraa (800m), Benson Kipruto (marathon), and Hellen Obiri (marathon).
Team Kenya’s Chef de Mission, Shadrack Maluki, praised the athletes for their dedication, saying, “We have given it our all as a country. We need to thank our athletes for literally giving it all for their motherland.” He emphasized the need for Kenya to embrace technology in sports, pledging that the National Olympic Committee of Kenya will work with the government to enhance support for athletes.
Kenya’s newly appointed Sports Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, arrived in France in time to celebrate the victories and visited Kenya House, where the country’s cultural, trade, and sports interests were showcased. Murkomen expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We are the first in Africa and first in the athletics competition in the world.” He also highlighted the success of the Kenya House initiative and called for greater investment in future Olympics, particularly for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
