Kenya made headlines in the international sporting arenas across the globe in 2024.
One of the sporting highlights of the year was the 2024 Olympic
Games in Paris, where Kenya once again demonstrated why they are the undisputed
African kings in track events with a dominant performance.
Kenya led Africa with a total of 11 medals, including four gold, two silver, and five bronze, placing them 17th overall among more than 180 participating nations.
It marked an improvement from their performance in the Tokyo Olympics, where they ranked 19th with a total of 10 medals.
Superstar Faith Kipyegon made history by winning the 1500-meter final, becoming the first athlete ever to secure three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the race.
She finished with a new Olympic record time of 3:51.29 seconds beating Australia's Jessica Hull and Georgia Bell from the UK, who took silver and bronze respectively.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, at just 20 years old, won the 800 meters, becoming the youngest Olympic champion in the race’s history.
Beatrice Chebet's performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics was remarkable as she claimed gold in the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters.
Chebet made her Olympic debut in the women's 5,000 meters, where she triumphed over a highly competitive field, including world champion Faith Kipyegon and defending Olympic champion Sifan Hassan.
Chebet finished the race with a time of 14:28.56, making her first Olympic title and earning Kenya its first gold medal of the games.
After winning gold in the 5,000 meters, Chebet achieved a remarkable victory in the 10,000m with a time of 30:43.25.
Chebet made history as the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters.
She also became only the third woman ever to win both the 5000m and 10,000m events at the Olympics, joining the ranks of Tirunesh Dibaba and Sifan Hassan.
Beatrice Chebet of Kenya set a world record in the 10,000 meters at the Prefontaine Classic meet on May 25, finishing in 28 minutes, 54.14 seconds.
Chebet shuttered the previous record of 29.01.03 set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey at FBK Stadium in the Netherlands on June 8, 2021.
The Prefontaine Classic is the lone American stop on the international Diamond League series.
On August 13, Chebet shuttered the women's world 5km record in a stunning display of athleticism at the prestigious Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona.
The 23-year-old sensation crossed the finish line in an impressive 14 minutes and 13 seconds, surpassing Ethiopian Senbere Teferi's women-only record by a remarkable 16 seconds.
It was a big day for Kenya at the 2024 Chicago Marathon as John Korir and Ruth Chepngetich took the top spots in the men's and women's elite races on October 13, respectively.
Chepngetich set the world record in 2:09:56, smashing the previous record of 2:11:53 held by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa.
"I feel so great. I am very proud of myself and I've done well for the victory and the world record. This is my dream that has come true," Chepngetich said afterwards.
"I fight a lot thinking about the world record. I am very grateful,” Chepngétich said.
It was a second world record for Kenya in as many years at the Chicago Marathon after Kelvin Kiptum set the men's record in 2023.
Kiptum died tragically in a road accident earlier this year at the age of 24.
Before the race, Chepngetich had said she would dedicate her race to Kiptum's memory.
The government also disbursed funds for the refurbishment and
maintenance of sports facilities in readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of
Nations.
The government is renovating Moi Stadium, Kasarani, Nyayo
Stadium, Kipchoge Keino, Ulinzi Sports Complex and Sacco Stadium in preparation for Kenya’s bid
to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027.
Talanta Sports Stadium is also under
construction and will be used during the soccer tournament.
The East Africa's Pamoja Bid by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, won the rights to host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.
The joint candidacy beat other bids from Botswana, Egypt and Senegal following a vote conducted by members of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during their meeting in Cairo.
