Para athletes upbeat ahead of Paris Paralympics

Paralympic athletes and officials at Kipchoge Keino stadium, Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Para athletes preparing for the 2024 Paris Paralympics are upbeat ahead of the international showpiece set to be staged after the Olympics.

On Friday, the Kenya National Paralympic Committee staged a hotly contested time trials at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret ahead of the naming of a final team that will represent the country in Paris.

A blend of experienced Para athletes and rising stars were assembled in the national event.

Samwel Mushai who bagged gold in 1500m T11 in 2012 and 5,000m T11 in 2016 Paralympics said his preparations were more intense this time.

He will be flying the Kenyan flag for the fourth time at the Paralympic Games which will run from August 28 to September 8.

Mushai, who is guided by Jean Kipchumba charged to an impressive win in the men’s 5,000m T11, finishing first in 15:51.4 ahead of Eric Sang and Wilson Bii who came in second and third respectively at the trials. He will be representing Kenya in the event.

“My training has been harder this time. I have been working on my speed work and I feel that I am ready for the Paris Paralympic Games,” Mushai, who won silver in 1500m T11 at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics said.

John Lokedi, who finished fourth at the World Paralympic world championships in Kobe, Japan in May ruled the 5,000m T13 contest.

Lokedi said he was hopeful that the training he has had at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex in Nandi for the last two months would propel him to the podium in Paris. He clocked 15:35.8.

Women’s 1500m T11 star Nancy Chelangat, who delivered the only medal - a bronze for team Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games promised a stellar show in Paris.

Chelangat, guided by Geoffrey Rotich timed 5:02.0 to win the 1500m T11 race as Mary Waithera and Priscah Jepkemoi settled for second and third places.

“I will be representing Kenya the third time at the Paralympic Games…. I felt that I was in good form heading to Paris. I will be looking to improve my time,” she said.

A technical official Joseph Ochieng said the paralympic committee learnt from blunders that cost the Kenyan team in last edition in Tokyo.