Kemboi's dance goes cold with medal drought

By Michael Wesonga

Team Kenya’s only gold medal winner so far, Ezekiel Kemboi, sneaked into the country Wednesday morning with a terse message for the Government: “You failed us.”

His return also left officials in London confused. National Olympic Committee of Kenya chairman Kipchoge Keino wondered why Kemboi returned, leaving the team behind. The other officials, too, didn’t know why he left or who changed his ticket.

Trademark jig
Two days ago, Kemboi was excited by his win and as he usually does, ushered in the gold medal with his trademark jig, dancing to his favourite hit Emily Chepchumba by Bamwai Yegon.

After clocking 8:18:56 seconds to emerge the winner in the race and ably reclaim the title he earned at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Kemboi was optimistic that he had opened the way for fellow athletes to also get gold medals.

But these prized medals have been elusive. In the 1,500m race on Tuesday night, Kenyans, who are holders of the title, performed poorly with the first finishing sixth.

Kemboi, 30, dedicated his win to “President Kibaki for his devoted leadership, Prime Minister’s wife Mama Ida Odinga for her moral support (during a recent assault case), Kenyans and my family for their undivided support.”

In June, Kemboi, who is also a police officer, was accused of stabbing a woman but was cleared to join Team Kenya in London by the National Olympics Committee.

Stamped authority
By winning the race, Kemboi stamped Kenya authority in the race as the country has won gold in the men’s steeplechase at every Olympics since 1984.

When he arrived in Eldoret, he went straight to his Elgon View Estate home from where he talked to The Standard. He confided that he is quitting steeplechase for marathon.

“I will probably be participating in my last steeplechase next month as I transit to the marathon category.”

His decision to change races, however, must also be given a nod by the Kenya National Olympics Committee and Athletics Kenya even if the coach approves.

He says he is sure steeplechase will always have athletes focused on maintaining Kenya’s record.

“To fill the gap we are leaving, the upcoming athletes must always remember this sport needs self-discipline, ability to determine one’s category and above all, choosing the appropriate time for resting.”

So far, the Kenyan team has disappointed. Kemboi blames this poor performance on factors beyond the team’s control.

The limited and poorly maintained facilities that were jammed by the soaring numbers of athletes got the biggest flak.

“I blame the Government since the money allocated for the rehabilitation of Kipchoge Stadium in Eldoret was embezzled, leaving it in a pathetic state two years after the contractor was commissioned,” a disappointed Kemboi said.

The athlete said the stalled stadium was far much better than Chepkoilel Stadium that was being used by 5,000 athletes for training.

He noted that most of the athletes from other countries began preparation for the London Olympics immediately after the 2008 competition unlike their Kenyan counterparts.

Kemboi advised fellow athletes to begin early preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

While Kenya’s athletes were training in the country, Kemboi was in Bristol to adapt to the British weather, which he said helped him clinch the gold medal. Kemboi has always finished in the top two positions in the race for the last 12 years except in 2008 when he finished eighth due to ill health.