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A look into the 5 heroes who won Kenya's first gold medals on the Olympic stage as athletes gear up for the Paris 2024 Games.
Kenya has always shone in athletics on both the world and Olympic stages with medals and fast times.
As the nation gears up for this year’s Olympic Games, this article will evaluate the top five athletes who opened the door for Kenyans at the Olympic stage.
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07:15 - 18.07.2024
Fast rising 800m star Odira narrates inspiration behind joining athletics & her lofty dreams of dinning with greats
Lilian Odira, the latest 800m runner turning heads has gotten candid about when she ventured into athletics and her motivation of becoming a world champion one day.
1) Paul Ereng
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Ereng was the first man to win Kenya’s gold medal in the men’s 800m at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea and since then, the country has witnessed glory times at the World Championships and Olympics.
After his win, William Tanui retained the title at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona before it was lost in the following editions. However, Kenya bounced back to winning ways thanks to Wilfred Bungei who won the title at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
In 2012 in London, David Rudisha shattered the world record, which he still owns, and defended his title at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Emmanuel Korir retained Kenya's title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and all the pressure will be on Wycliffe Kinyamal, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Koitatoi Kidali to deliver in 2024.
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13:47 - 18.07.2024
NOC-K president Paul Tergat names 5 track events he expects Kenyans to win gold medals at Paris Olympic Games
NOC-K president Paul Tergat has predicted five track events where Kenya will win gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
2) Nancy Langat
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As she crossed the finish line to claim the women’s 1500m at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Nancy Langat knew she had opened a door that had been locked since 1972, when the first crop of 1500m women competed.
Faith Kipyegon took the cap at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, winning in great fashion before defending her title at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Kipyegon is still in the game and she will be out to defend her title at the Paris Olympic Games, which will be a third straight crown.
3) Amos Biwott
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Rarely talked about, Amos Biwott is the man who won Kenya’s first gold in the steeplechase, winning the title at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.
After his win, Kipchoge Keino claimed the title at the 1972 Munich Olympics before the event became a Kenyan affair from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games with Julius Korir starting the winning streak.
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19:19 - 15.07.2024
How Nancy Lagat cleared a path for Faith Kipyegon to triumph on the Olympic stage
Faith Kipyegon has narrated how attending a homecoming party for Nancy Lagat, the first Kenyan woman to win the 1500m Olympic gold medal, opened a new chapter in her life.
Julius Kariuki, Matthew Birir, Joseph Keter, Reuben Kosgei, and Ezekiel Kemboi claimed the titles at the 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. Brimin Kipruto took the mantle at the 2008 Olympics before Kemboi reclaimed it in London in 2012.
Conseslus Kipruto took the mantle from Kemboi, winning the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before the title was snatched at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
4) Vivian Cheruiyot
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Vivian Cheruiyot cleared the path for Kenya’s women in the 5000m as she won the title at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, it was snatched by Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan who returns to the Paris Olympic Games this season but she faces a stern test going up against a formidable Kenyan cast.
Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet will be out to ensure they reclaim Kenya’s title and continue the winning streak.
5) Samuel Wanjiru
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The late Samuel Wanjiru rewrote history, becoming the first Kenyan to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games since the first edition of the men’s marathon that was held in 1896 in Athens.
Stephen Kiprotich took the title in 2012 in London but Eliud Kipchoge was the man of the moment at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Tokyo 2020. Kipchoge heads to Paris, seeking to write history as the first man to do it three straight times and he has Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso for company.
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