Team Kenya’s pursuit of Olympic glory begins in earnest this Friday afternoon as the track and field events at the Stade de France in Paris get underway. The team’s athletes are primed to showcase their talents and secure medals, with several high-profile events set to capture the nation’s attention.
Friday’s Exciting Line-Up for Team Kenya
12:10 PM – Men’s 1500m Preliminaries
The day starts with the men’s 1500m preliminaries, where Kenya will be represented by three formidable runners. Timothy Cheruiyot, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist from Sing’orwet in Bomet County, leads the Kenyan charge. Cheruiyot’s experience and past performances make him a strong contender for the semi-finals. Alongside him are rising star Reynold Cheruiyot, the World Under-20 1500m champion from Tarakwa in Bomet County, and the Africa Champion Brian Komen.
Reynold Cheruiyot, who had a challenging time at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, is eager to make a strong comeback. “My training has been okay and I’m ready to compete against my rivals. Last year was tricky, but I thank God for making the final. I was not used to running for two consecutive days, which affected my performance,” he remarked. Komen will compete in Heat One, Timothy Cheruiyot in Heat Two, and Reynold Cheruiyot in Heat Three. The top six finishers from each heat will advance to the semi-finals.
7:10 PM – Women’s 5000m Heats
Attention then shifts to the women’s 5000m heats, where double world record holder Faith Kipyegon will start her campaign. Hailing from Nbabibit Village in Chebara of Kuresoi South, Kipyegon’s dreams are supported by millions of Kenyan fans. With a world record set in this event last year, Kipyegon enters the heats with high confidence.
She will face stiff competition from Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay, Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia, fellow Kenyan Margaret Chelimo, and versatile runner Sifan Hassan. “My feeling is that everyone will be going for the medals, and at this point, anything goes. Let’s pray for good health,” said Kipyegon. Beatrice Chebet, the world silver medalist, is another top contender for Kenya. The top eight finishers in each heat will advance to the final.
8:10 PM – 4x400m Mixed Relay
The evening continues with the 4x400m mixed relay, where Kenya’s team, having qualified through ranking, will face a challenging Heat One. They will compete against strong teams from Jamaica, the USA, and Poland. The Kenyan team, comprising Mercy Chebet, David Sanayek, Veronica Mutua, and Boniface Mweresa, will need to deliver a strong performance to advance. The top three finishers from each heat will secure a spot in the final, along with the two fastest fourth-placed teams from both heats.
8:45 PM – Women’s 800m
The final event of the day will see world champion Mary Moraa begin her quest for Olympic gold in the women’s 800m heats. Moraa, a key figure in Kenya’s athletics, will compete in Heat Five. She will be joined by debutants Lilian Odira and Vivian Chebet, who will compete in heats six and three, respectively.
As the athletics events kick off, Team Kenya is set to make a significant impact on the track. With a roster of talented athletes and a strong determination to bring home medals, the excitement is palpable. Fans across the nation will be eagerly watching, hoping for a display of athletic excellence and the fulfillment of their Olympic dreams.
