Paris 2024: Kenyan exports set to face their compatriots once again

Bahrain's Rose Chelimo. [AFP]

Kenyan athletics exports are once again clashing with their former compatriots at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

This time, the quality of Kenyan-born stars who switched nationalities for greener pastures is greater.

From Bahrain to Romania, United States and Kazakhstan, Kenyan exports are back, and ready to take on their countrymen and women in hunt for Olympic medals in France.

Take for instance, Winfred Yavi of Bahrain. She is the biggest threat to Kenya’s 3,000m steeplechase title when the women’s heats begin on Sunday.

From Makueni County to the world, Yavi, 24, has already made history.

At the 2023 Budapest World Championships, the Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete produced a brilliantly executed race to win women’s 3000m steeplechase for her adopted nation, upsetting the big shots deployed by her mother country.

Her win left 3000m steeplechase World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and youngster Faith Cherotich settling for silver and gold medals respectively.

At the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, Kenyan-born Kazakhstani athlete Norah Cheruto stormed to a 3000m steeplechase victory, and is returning to compete with their former compatriots in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Daisy Jepkemei also from Kazakhstan, will feature in women’s 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m.

After making Bahrain proud in several races since 2014, marathon star Eunice Chumba, who was born in Nandi, will represent Bahrain, having competed for the same country in 2020 Tokyo Games.

Chumba will be among several exports plotting to challenge top Kenyan marathoners; defending champion Peres Jepchirchir, Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri and New York Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi in the battle for an Olympic crown in Paris.

Prolific Kenyan-born Romanian road runner Joan Chelimo is getting ready for her Olympic debut after switching allegiance in 2021.

The Iten-based athlete had won over 18 road races ranging from 5km to half marathon before switching allegiance to Romania, a country in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Bilbao 15km, Valencia 10km, Boston 10km and Boston Half Marathon are among titles under Chelimo’s belt.

Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel is back to Paris, with a keen eye on winning a medal after successfully challenging her former compatriots in previous global championships and World Marathon Majors.

Chemtai, who was born in West Pokot and mainly trains in Iten, took bronze at the 2022 world marathon. She won the 2020 Tokyo Marathon in style.

Chemtai went to Israel in 2008 as a nanny for children of Kenya's Ambassador to Israel living in Herzliya.

She met Israeli running coach Dan Salpeter in 2011, and married in 2014.

Kaan Kigen, representing Turkey and USA’s Leonard Korir, are in the long list of Kenyan-born marathoners out to challenge the Kenyan squad led by defending champion Eliud Kipchoge for the Olympic title in Paris.

Kigen was born in Keiyo District. He graduated in 2005 from Simotwo High School. He is based at the PACE Sports Management training camp in Kaptagat.

In October 2015, he changed his name to Kaan Kigen Özbilen and has since competed for Turkey.

Kigen's breakthrough year came in 2006 when he represented Kenya at three competitions.

Olympic silver medallist and former 3,000m steeplechase World Record holder Moses Kiptanui said the increasing numbers of athletes switching allegiance was indicator that most of the stars were not getting opportunities to fly the country’s flag.

Kiptanui said many athletes were representing other countries because of the tight competition to make the Kenyan team.

“There must be something that made them run away from Kenya. It's either they were frustrated when they made the Kenyan team or were denied the opportunity to represent the country,” he said.

“You can compete for any country if you feel that it is okay. There are so many athletes in this country and only three in every event get the opportunity to fly the country’s colours.”