Why Kenya's Olympics stars have reason to celebrate today

Faith Kipyegon L and Beatrice Chebet display their medals they won in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 upon arrival in the Country at JKIA, Nairobi on August 13, 2024.[Samwel Ogor,Standard]

The celebrations are officially beginning. From anxious moments at the onset of the 2024 Paris Olympics to emerging top country in Africa, Kenya is all song and dance.

Pomp and colour continued to punctuate the arrival of Kenyan stars from the Games that came to close on Sunday.

All the country’s Olympians entered the country after the stellar show ahead of a planned red carpet reception at State House Nairobi and a mega welcome at the City of Champions – Eldoret, today.

According to government officials, the Kenyan stars are set to arrive in Eldoret in style.

Faith Kipyegon, who won a historic third 1500m title in Paris was in the batch of athletes who jetted into the country on Tuesday night.

A delighted Kipyegon said she was set to celebrate the achievement with family. Her third 1500m Olympic title makes her the greatest 1500m athlete of all time.

Kipyegon recalled the dramatic shove that almost denied her the 5000m silver medal at the Paris Games.

“I came out of the frustration in the 5,000m. It was a little bit dramatic to have won silver and disqualified. You would be asking yourself what you have done wrong,” Kipyegon said on arrival.

She recalled: “It was really emotional to me and I don’t know I came out and still performed in the 1500m and made history.”

Kipyegon, who is also a three-time world 1500m champion, said her biggest goal was to defend her title in the distance.

“I thank all the people who supported me; my fans, management, coach, training partners, my team, Beatrice Chebet and the rest of the team for encouraging me to go for it (1500m title),” Kipyegon said.

She said stepping on the podium being the Greatest of All Time in 1500m was motivational.

Kipyegon said she believed her title would motivate young athletes to rise to the pinnacle of athletics.

“I have inspired the next generation of girls out there. It was a big achievement for me. I think I have been an inspiration to many young girls,” she said.

She went on to say: “I received so many messages and I was really touched by the message from the President. We have started celebrating the achievement. I am going back home to celebrate and meet with my family again.”

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet was elated to be back home, and to a reception at the airport.

We have come a long way and we are thankful for arriving home safely.

Chebet said winning gold in 10,000m and 5,000m was no mean feat.

“I am happy being a double Olympic champion in my debut… It was not easy to achieve the feat and I thank everyone who supported me in the preparations towards the Paris Olympics,” said Chebet.

The women’s 10,000m record holder said the weather in Paris was a mixture of favorable and challenging conditions.

“At the Olympics, we must participate and compete irrespective of the weather,” she said.

The middle and distance track athletes among them Chebet, Kipyegon, Faith Cherotich, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Nicholas Kipkorir, Wycliffe Kinyamal and Lilian Kasait among others trained in Eldoret as they prepared for the 2024 Olympic Games.

They are expected in Eldoret as the town gets a city charter today.

Yesterday morning, another batch including 800m Olympic champion Wanyonyi, marathon bronze medalist Benson Kipruto, and 5000m silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi arrived.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who welcomed the two groups said the Olympic stars proudly represented Kenya in Paris.

“Our athletes have brought honour to our nation, earning us the distinction of being ranked the best in Africa and 17th globally, a truly remarkable feat. We also extend our deepest appreciation to all our athletes who competed valiantly, regardless of the outcome. Each one of them is a true hero,” the Sports CS said.

He said President William Ruto will this morning host a grand reception to honour their performance at the Paris Olympic Games.