Paris Olympics: Omanyala vows he will not feel Games' heat like it was in Tokyo

Kenyan Sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala Training at Kasarani Stadium in preparation for its pathway toward the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. July 1, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s record holder in the 100m sprint, is meticulously honing his skills at the Miramas training camp in France.

Embracing a new strategy and mindset, Omanyala is determined to seize the crown in what promises to be a fiercely contested men’s 100m showdown.

Having recently triumphed in Hengelo, Netherlands with an impressive 10.01s finish, overcoming seasoned contenders like Ronnie Baker (USA) and Andre de Grasse (Canada), Omanyala is confident in his preparation. Reflecting on his progress, he emphasizes the crucial role of his revamped training regimen and team dynamics in achieving peak performance.

The Hengelo race provided Omanyala with insights into areas to improve upon at Kenya’s pre-Olympics training camp in Miramas, France, which he has joined.

For Omanyala, developing power in his last 50m dash will be crucial for the Olympics. His goal is to execute an impressive finishing kick, as he believes the star-studded men’s 100m race in Paris will be decided in the final 20m, based on his analysis.

“My body has responded well this season. I’m running commendable times that reflect my progress,” Omanyala told Standard Sports. “My starting blocks are good, but I’ve identified an acceleration issue around the 70m mark, likely due to the muscle mass I gained in the gym. I’ve adjusted my weightlifting to address this, and I feel my body is in peak shape for the Olympics.”

In addition to refining his finishing power, the father of two believes the Miramas camp allows him to address any lingering muscle issues, aiming to sharpen himself to outperform his rivals in the Paris showdown.

Top contender

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“In Tokyo three years ago, my goal was simply to progress through the heats, but now I am confident I will arrive in Paris as a top contender,” he emphasised.

“My target is to surpass the semifinals I reached in Japan, although I’m cautious not to overpromise. I anticipate an improved performance in Paris, entering as the world’s second-best athlete this season.”

However, Omanyala, the national record holder in the 60m dash, reiterated that he does not diminish his semifinal achievement in Tokyo, which opened numerous opportunities enhancing his preparation for the Paris Olympics.

“I’ve gained invaluable experience and made significant adjustments that have propelled me forward in this journey,” he reflected.

Despite his rigorous training, the Commonwealth Games champion, known for his confident demeanor, remains measured in his expectations ahead of the Paris Olympics, emphasizing realistic goals.

“I am optimistic about Paris, but I approach it with careful intentions,” he stated. “I prefer to manage expectations rather than make lofty promises to my fans. I deal with the realities on the ground, avoiding unrealistic optimism. However, I encourage fans to remain hopeful.”Omanyala anticipates a highly competitive men’s 100m showdown in Paris, expecting fierce competition as every athlete aims for a podium finish.

“It won’t be easy, but I have set achievable expectations. It will be tough, which is why I’m pushing myself hard in training to be tougher.”

Asked about pressure heading into Paris, Omanyala replied, “I feel no pressure, not even from fans. I’ve set limits to guide me forward in this journey. After every race, I conduct self-analysis and set recommendations for myself. This self-reflection prompted me to change coaches, training tactics, partners, and teams at the season’s start.”

Omanyala attributes his continual improvement to two factors: discipline and a relentless drive to excel.

Amidst his journey towards athletic stardom, Omanyala remains grounded, focused on the prize without letting accolades sway his concentration.

“After Tokyo, I went on to become the African champion, break the African record (9.77), and win the Commonwealth Games,” he noted. “I strive to progress daily because in this sport, you are only as good as your last race, so I aim for continuous improvement.”

When asked about his reduced participation in races this season compared to previous years, Omanyala explained, “It’s a deliberate decision I made earlier this year. The Kip Keino Classic served as my season opener, and since then, I have participated in six races. Last year, by this time, I had competed in a total of 19 races. This season, we are adopting a different approach to avoid burnout before the Olympics. Kip Keino was about acclimatizing to competition, understanding my body, and gearing up for the Olympics.”

This season, Omanyala also broke the national record twice at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and achieved a season’s best of 9.79s at the Paris Olympics national trials at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.