Paris 2024: Kibiwott knows that things will look up soon

Abraham Kibiwot after winning bronze in men's 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympic Game. [AFP]

Though Kenya’s wait to reclaim men’s 3000m steeplechase Olympic title continues, Abraham Kibiwott is somehow a relieved man.

This is after the Commonwealth Games champion finally bagged a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Wednesday night.

While Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali clocked 8:06.05 to retain his gold medal at the Stade de France, Kibiwott produced an improved performance posting a time of 8:06.47 to settle for bronze behind surprise package Kenneth Rooks of the United States (8:06.41). Kibiwott finished 10th at the Tokyo Games.

Youthful Simon Koech (8:09.26) and Amos Serem (8:19.74) finished seventh and 14th respectively in a race that world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia was stretched off after a fall while clearing a barrier.

Despite failing to recapture the title in Kenya’s traditional race that was last won by Conseslus Kipruto at Rio 2016 Games, the World Championships bronze medallist feels El Bakkali’s days are numbered.

“I’m really happy, I didn’t know I would ever win an Olympic medal, but here I’m I have gotten it,” said Kibiwott.

“Of course, it is saddening that our wait for the title continues, but I believe we will bring it back soon. We will talk to AK to allow us to train together to make this possible.

“From that race, I think El Bakkali is beatable, anybody can win Olympics and World Championships. It just calls for self belief, focus and ran your own race. I never expected Rooks to be on the podium, my eyes were on El Bakkali and Girma, but he surprised everybody.”

Meanwhile, for Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, giving up has never been an option in his athletics career.

Coming into the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with the second fastest time of 9.79 this season, many expected the Commonwealth Games champion to go all the way to the finals.

But unfortunately, for the second time in a row, the former rugby winger failed to reach the Olympics final after finishing a disappointing eighth position (10.08) in the star-studded semis that was clinched by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson with 9.80 followed by Fred Kerley of the United States of America in 9.84.

In Tokyo Games, the African champion exited the competition at the same stage despite being ranked third in his heat with a new personal best and national record of 10.00. But while he owned up to his mistakes in the race that attracted mixed reactions on social media, Omanyala claims an ‘email from God’ has relieved him.

“No No No! I’m never giving up, it’s still too early to give up. Of course as humans, you get to a point where you tell yourself, am I doing the right thing? Am I supposed to be in this sport? But again, I got a very big assurance,” said Omanyala.

“God sent me an email by the way, everything happens for a reason and good tidings. So, I believe everything will be fine, and one thing I’m sure of is I have inspired a lot of people, generations and I will continue to inspire them. So, I’m never giving up, we will get back out and we will be fine.”“It takes time for you to get a world medal because I have done Commonwealth and African but I really want a world medal.”

“But you know sometimes it all comes down to how relaxed you are, when you get to a point where it’s a semifinal, you tell yourself I need to push harder, but what you need to do is just be relaxed and do what you always do.”

Despite the Paris disappointment, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum assured Omanyala of the government’s continued support.

“Yes, Omanyala didn’t make up this time, but I can see the spirit is still alive and the zeal to induct others, and continue working as a role model to the youth in Kenya is also still on,” said Tum.