Kenyan queens look to continue Olympic conquest streak in Paris

Kenya's Beatrice Chebet celebrates after winning the women's 5000m final at the Doha Diamond League. [AFP]

Since the days of Kiprugut Chumo, Kenya's only medallist in 1964, to the 2020 Olympics, the world’s topmost games have been a men’s affair, especially for Kenya.

But in recent years, Kenya’s women at the Olympics have earned their status as the golden girls.

From record-breaking assassin Faith Kipyegon, to track legends such Hellen Obiri and Vivian Cheruiyot, Kenyan women stars have become undisputed African queens.

Chumo’s only medal – an 800m bronze would grow to three gold medals from Kipchoge Keino (1500m), Naftali Temu (10,000m) and Amos Biwott (3,000m steeplechase) as well as three silver medals in 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

Still, no woman bagged a medal in the 1972 Olympic Games when the likes of Kipchoge Keino (3,000m steeplechase) and the 4x400m relay team comprising Julius Sang, Charles Asati, Munyoro Nyamau and Robert Ouko delivered the country’s two gold medals. Ben Jipcho and featherweight boxer Philip Wariunge brought home the two silver medals that year.

Fast forward to 2008 and the story of Kenya’s women changed. They began to stamp their authority, almost rivalling their male counterparts in winning medals.

Tough as the Olympics may be, the women who have been flying Kenyan colours at the apex of global competitions have displayed unrivalled resilience.

In 2008, the year that Pamela Jelimo made a strong statement in winning gold in the women’s 800m and Nancy Lagat shining in 1,500m, the country’s women fired the warning shots: they were going for more podium places.

They won seven out of the total 16 medals that Kenyan stars bagged that year.

And then came 2012. Kenyan women secured six medals out of the total 13 accrued by the country.

As if that was not enough, Kenyan women pulled another major surprise in the 2016 Rio Games, winning seven out of 13 total medals that Kenya collected.

Tecla Chemabwai Sang, the first woman to represent Kenya during the 1968 Olympics should perhaps be one of the happiest women as she watches girls the age of her grandchildren run for glory at the Paris showpiece.

“That time (1968 Olympics) I was so tinny and timid when I competed with foreigners of different races, something I had never seen in my life,” Chemabwai said in a previous interview.

As the 2024 Olympics kick off today, Kenya is flying a team of 19 women and 25 men.

Observers predict that the women's charges would replay the 2012 to 2020 scripts and equal their male counterparts in the delivery of medals despite the smaller number.

The women are promising Kenyans something to celebrate.

“I promise my country good performance and above all, medals. My preparations towards the Olympics have been good. I am also in good form and we are praying for good health during the Games,” Beatrice Chebet, who recently broke women’s 10,000m world record in Eugene, United States, and is set to represent Kenya in two events (5,000m and 10,000m), promises.

Faith Cherotich, the 2023 World 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist who is heading to Paris when she is as tiny as Chemabwai in 1968, is asking Kenyans to pray for her and the entire team.

“I am excited that I am making my first appearance at the Olympics. This is a rare opportunity and I promise that I will do my best. Winning a medal will make the experience very special,” said Cherotich.