Every four years the world comes together in an age old tradition – it’s time to battle. Where the strongest and the fittest emerge victorious. While the whole world is warring against each other in these battles there are no victims, no bloodshed, no death. For the battleground is the Olympics, the pinnacle of sports and the whole globe is in attendance. This is when athletes get to bring their personal best in service of flag and country, with millions behind them holding bated breath to see who emerges victor as each race is run, each goal is scored, each oar is paddled or each javelin flung. It’s the strangest of times as the world is in deep competition yet the world also comes together in joy and camaraderie in a way that’s is not replicated elsewhere. That’s the power of sports – it’s a recognition of human endeavour and even though failing to snatch the gold can be the most heart-breaking moment of athletes career, there is an innate recognition that seeing the excellence of those who do stand on the podium, or breaking a record is an intensely collective human moment.
2016 was our glory year at the Olympics. Our athletes truly went above and beyond themselves and brought home the largest medal haul in our nation’s history. Rio 2016 were good games for Kenya. We were represented by 89 athletes – 47 women and 42 men across athletics, archery, boxing, judo, rugby, swimming and weightlifting. Let’s just say that we were fully represented by the largest delegation of sportsmen and women we had ever sent to the Olympics.
At the beginning of the Games is the spectacular Opening ceremony – a chance for the host country to go all out and kick off the games in style. Rio was no different – a special moment for Kenya was seeing legendary Kip Keino run out onto the field surrounded by hundreds of children. The 1968 Olympic medal champion was being honoured as the pioneer recipient of the Olympic Laurel – an award that recognises individuals who have used sport to engender ideas of peace, collaboration and education. It was a beautiful way for Kenya to take centre stage at the very beginning of the 2016 Olympics.
By the end of the games our athletes had brought in six gold medals – in both marathon events, men’s 800m, 1500m and 3000m steeplechase; six silvers in both 10,000 m races, women’s 5000m and 3000m steeplechase, and men’s javelin and 400m hurdles. To round it off was a bronze medal in the women’s 800m. Our women’s and men’s rugby sevens Teams both placed a shattering fourth place.
Perhaps the proudest moment though was at the close of the 2016 Olympics. One of the last events of the Games is the men’s marathon and this is where we excel. We’ve bagged the gold before and 2016 was a double win – Jemima Sumgong brought home the women’s marathon gold and Eliud Kipchoge the men’s. It was exhilarating hearing the Kenyan national anthem at the closing ceremony of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad with the eyes of the globe watching our flag raised as Kipchoge stepped up to receive the men’s marathon gold. Many commented on the beautiful harmony of our national anthem as it was heard across the world..
That year one Kenyan opened the Games and another brought them to a close;it was a singular honour indeed. Our athletes remain a true testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, excellence and national pride and once again the Olympic games were a moment for all humanity to shine.
