Paris 2024: Kenya's para team safely arrive in France

The first batch of Kenya’s Paralympics team arrived in Paris on Thursday morning beaming with confidence ahead of the Games set to begin on August 28 in the French capital. 

Upon touching down at the Charles De Guele airport, the team of 13 athletes and officials went straight to Compiegne, which is about an hour’s drive from Paris. This is where they will camp as they do their final preparations for the Games.

The team’s coach Henry Kiprono, who previously won a Paralympic gold medal before transitioning to coaching, said they are looking forward to an exciting tournament.

“I thank God for giving us journey mercies and enabling us to reach Paris safely. I also thank the Kenyan government for taking care of our needs as well and I can say we are ready for action, and will just be using the two-weeks training camp in Compiegne to polish up before we enter the Olympic Village on August 21,” said Kiprono.

“Preparation back at home was good; I thank the government for the facilitation. We have prepared very well, better than during previous Paralympic Games. The next batch of athletes which will be bigger arrives tomorrow.”

Athlete Mary Njoroge Waithera who competes in the women T11 1500m said she was excited to be in her second Paralympic Games after making her debut during the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“At the Tokyo Olympics I didn’t do very well because I was still a young athlete without experience since it was my first ever Olympic Games, but I have now learnt a lot from my coaches and fellow athletes and I have prepared very well for the Paris Games. I am confident of a podium finish,” said Njoroge who has a personal best time of 4 minutes and 49 seconds.

Kenya’s Sports Director Jaxon Indakwa, who received the team at the airport, said they have secured a good camping place for the team.

“The environment and facilities in Compiegne are good for the team’s training camp and the government has ensured that everything is in place even before they arrive,” Indakwa said.