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It feels nice - Omanyala says on being Kenya's Olympic team flagbearer

He remains optimistic Team Kenya will produce great results at the games.

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by Bosco Marita

Sports24 July 2024 - 07:04

In Summary


  • Omanyala who is second fastest man in the world at the moment, was picked alongside Malkia Strikers captain Trizah Atuka becoming the only sixth athletes to do so from Athletics.
  • Legendary Kipchoge Keino was the first to do so during the 1964 games in Tokyo Japan and 1972 games in Munich West German.
Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala

On Friday when team Kenya cruised with their boat at the Olympics Opening ceremony along River Seine, Africa's Fastest Ferdinand Omanyala joined a small group of athletes who have led Kenya at the games Opening Ceremony.

Omanyala who is the second fastest man in the world at the moment, was picked alongside Malkia Strikers captain Trizah Atuka becoming the only sixth athlete to do so from Athletics.

Legendary Kipchoge Keino was the first to do so during the 1964 games in Tokyo Japan and the 1972 games in Munich West German.

After a long wait, it was Patrick Sang's turn to lead Kenya at the Barcelona games where he won a silver medal in the men's 3000m steeplechase.

It is important to note Sang is the current coach for Multiple Olympic medals Elud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon.

Current National Olympic Champion Paul Tergat led Kenya at the 1996 games in Atlanta Games where he won a silver medal in the men's 10000m.

At the 2000 summer games in Sydney, it was Kennedy Ochieng's turn to lead.

The last athlete from Athletics Kenya to lead Team Kenya at the Olympics was Grace Momanyi who was due to take part in the women's 10000m final but was replaced by Peninah Arusei.

For Omanyala, it is a great honour to lead the Nation at the Summer Games after leading Kenya during the 2022 Commonwealth Games where he won Gold.

The sprinter will be making his second appearance at the games, having represented Kenya at the 2020 games where he reached the semi-finals.

"It feels nice, it is a great platform. Millions of people will be watching the Olympics. Them seeing me lead my team will be a great privilege. Many thanks to NOCK and everyone else who was involved in the decision to select me, I really appreciate it," he said.

Before he rose to fame through his talent, Kenya was barely known when it came to men's 100m race.

But he has since changed that and he hopes that will inspire many generations and bring blessings to many Kenyans.

He remains optimistic Team Kenya will produce great results at the games. 

Paris 2024 marks the second occasion where Kenya will have two flag bearers, one male and one female.

Former Kenya Sevens team captain Andrew Amonde, and the National Volleyball team Captain, Mercy Moim, were the flag bearers at Tokyo 2020.

 

Kenya's past Olympic Games flag bearers

 

Kipchoge Keino 1964, 1972

James Omondi 1984

Patrick Waweru 1988

Patrick Sanga 1992

Paul Tergat 1996

Kennedy Ochieng 2000

Violet Barasa 2004

Grace Momanyi 2008

Jason Dunford 2012

Shehzana Anwar 2016

Andrew Amonde / Mercy Moim 2020

Ferdinand Omanyala/ Trizah Atuka - 2024

Kenya didn't take part in the 1976 and 1980 boycotted Olympic games.

 


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